DESIGNER LIGANDS. VIII. THERMAL AND MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS OF SILVER(I)-SELECTIVE LIGANDS

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.

Keywords:

• Microwave-assisted synthesis
• Silver(I) ligands

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.