ION CHROMATOGRAPHY OF TRANSITION-METALS ON AN IMINO-DIACETIC ACID BONDED STATIONARY PHASE

A stationary phase synthesized by covalent binding of iminodiacetic acid to a porous silica support was investigated for the separation of transition metals by ion chromatography. Eluents containing carboxylic acids either alone or in combination with stronger complexing agents were studied in order to examine the elution mechanisms of alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions. It was found that both complexation reactions and ion-exchange mechanisms occurred, their rate being governed by the stability of metal complexes. These investigations were used to find optimum conditions for the determination of transition metal ions in alkali and alkaline earth metal-rich matrices, e.g., sea water. © 1990.