ABSTRACT
Thermal and microwave-assisted methods have been used for preparing multidentate malonamide derivatives as silver(I)-selective ligands, the latter methodology providing convenient and rapid access to the target compounds in yields of up to 92%. Metal extraction studies revealed that some of the ligands exhibit selectivity for silver (over the base metals, copper and lead), ranging from moderate to excellent.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors thank MINTEK, Rhodes University and the National Research Foundation (NRF) for generous financial support, Dr. John Bacsa (University of Cape Town) for the X-ray structure determination, Ms. Paula Antunes for assistance with the AA analyses and Dr. Eric Hosten (University of Port Elizabeth) for the ICP-MS analyses.