Poly(α-Aminophosphine Chalcogenide) Networks: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application for Metal Sequestration

Abstract

Quaternary mixtures of primary phosphine, chalcogen, diimine, and triimine were employed in polymerization reactions to give α-aminophosphine chalcogenide polymer networks. Six networks were prepared that differed in the chalcogen (O, S) and the aryl substituents on the imine precursors (Ph, 4-F-C₆H₄, 2-OH-C₆H₄). The swellability of the networks in different solvents was evaluated. Four networks displayed exceptional swelling (2–8 × mass increase) with polar aprotic solvents THF and DCM. A mono(α-aminophosphine) oxide molecule was prepared as a molecular model of the parent network, and it was successfully coordinated to ${\mathrm{UO}}_2^{2+}$ via monodentate binding through the oxide. The parent phosphine oxide network 6O effectively sequestered ${\mathrm{UO}}_2^{2+}$ and Fe³⁺ ions from THF solutions.