Abstract
The interaction of aqueous metal· EDTA complexes with magnesium metal or bimetallic mixtures of magnesium with either palladium or silver were optimized to remove metals (Cu, Fe and/or Mn) from solution with concomitant release of the EDTA ligand. The analyte metals were removed by both cementation on the surfaces of the excess magnesium metal and by precipitation as hydroxides. In all cases, the reactions were rapid and very efficient. The accelerators (Ag or Pd) were cemented on the surfaces of the magnesium more efficiently so that the excess of Mg granules could be reused to mediate more metals removal without apparent loss of reactivity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Financial support from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is gratefully acknowledged.