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Membrane extraction with thermodynamically unstable diphosphonic acid derivatives

Patent ·
OSTI ID:541723

Thermodynamically-unstable complexing agents which are diphosphonic acids and diphosphonic acid derivatives (or sulphur containing analogs), like carboxyhydroxymethanediphosphonic acid and vinylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, are capable of complexing with metal ions, and especially metal ions in the II, III, IV, V and VI oxidation states, to form stable, water-soluble metal ion complexes in moderately alkaline to highly-acidic media. However, the complexing agents can be decomposed, under mild conditions, into non-organic compounds which, for many purposes are environmentally-nondamaging compounds thereby degrading the complex and releasing the metal ion for disposal or recovery. Uses for such complexing agents as well as methods for their manufacture are also described. 1 fig.

Research Organization:
University of Chicago
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
Assignee:
Arch Development Corp., Chicago, IL (United States)
Patent Number(s):
US 5,678,242/A/
Application Number:
PAN: 8-250,001
OSTI ID:
541723
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English