A Dinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complex as a One‐ and Two‐Photon Luminescent Probe for Biological Cu2+ Detection

A new dinuclear Ru^II polypyridyl complex, [(bpy)₂Ru(H₂bpip)Ru(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ ( RuH₂bpip , bpy=2,2‐bipyridine, H₂bpip=2,6‐pyridyl(imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline), was developed to act as a one‐ and two‐photon luminescent probe for biological Cu²⁺ detection. This Ru^II complex shows a significant two‐photon absorption cross section (400 GM) and displays a remarkable one‐ and two‐photon luminescence switch in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. Importantly, RuH₂bpip can selectively recognise Cu²⁺ in aqueous media in the presence of other abundant cellular cations (such as Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺), trace metal ions in organisms (such as Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Co²⁺), prevalent toxic metal ions in the environment (such as Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Cr³⁺), and amino acids, with high sensitivity (detection limit≤3.33×10^?8 M ) and a rapid response time (≤15 s). The biological applications of RuH₂bpip were also evaluated and it was found to exhibit low cytotoxicity, good water solubility, and membrane permeability; RuH₂bpip was, therefore, employed as a sensing probe for the detection of Cu²⁺ in living cells and zebrafish.     

Selective Solid‐phase Extraction of Cu2+ by a Novel Cu(II)‐imprinted Silica Gel

A new Cu(II)‐imprinted salen functionalized silica gel adsorbent was synthesized by surface imprinting technique and was employed as a selective solid phase extraction material for Cu²⁺ removal from aqueous solutions. The samples were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR, CHNS and DTG techniques. The BET surface area of the silica gel was also determined. The adsorbent was then used for removal of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions under different experimental conditions. It was concluded that the synthesized imprinted silica gel had higher selectivity and capacity compared to the non‐imprinted silica gel and the maximal adsorption capacity of 67.3 and 56.5 mg.g^?1 was obtained respectively for ion‐imprinted and non‐imprinted adsorbents. The relative selectivity factor (β) of 50.32 and 31.94 was obtained respectively for Cu²⁺/Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺ pairs. The dynamic adsorption capacity of the imprinted adsorbent was close to the static adsorption capacity due to the fast kinetic of adsorption. Furthermore, the ion‐imprinted adsorbent was recovered and repeatedly used and satisfactory adsorption capacity with acceptable precision was obtained. Each experiment was repeated at least for three times and the mean and the standard deviation for each measurement were calculated. The applicability of the method was examined for Zayandehrood water as real sample. Acceptabe standard deviation was obtained.     

Competitive heavy metal removal by poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid‐co‐itaconic acid)

The competitive removal of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions by the copolymer of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and itaconic acid (IA), P(AMPS‐co‐IA), was investigated. Homopolymer of AMPS (PAMPS) was also used to remove these ions from their aqueous solution. In the preparation of AMPS–IA copolymer, the molar percentages of AMPS and IA were 80 and 20, respectively. In order to observe the changes in the structures of polymers due to metal adsorption, FTIR spectra by attenuated total reflectancetechnique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) pictures of the polymers were taken both before and after adsorption experiments. Total metal ion removal capacities of PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were 1.685 and 1.722 mmol Me²⁺/g_polymer, respectively. Experimental data were evaluated to determine the kinetic characteristics of the adsorption process. Competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions onto both PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) was found to fit pseudo‐second‐order type kinetics. In addition, the removal orders in the competitive adsorption of these metal ions onto PAMPS and P(AMPS‐co‐IA) were found to be Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Cu²⁺, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu2+ Based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐Decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione Fluorophore

A new chemosensor for Cu²⁺ was synthesized based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione dyes, which exhibited an obvious fluorescent selectivity to the sensing of Cu²⁺ ions over other cations, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺. Moreover, it presented a fluorescent switch function when EDTA was added to the compound‐Cu²⁺ complex in examined systems.     

A New Luminescent Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine‐derived Dipicolylamine Complex as a Sensor for Cu2+ Ions

A chemo‐sensor [Ru(bpy)₂(bpy‐DPF)](PF₆)₂ ( 1 ) (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, bpy‐DPF=2,2′‐bipyridyl‐4,4′‐bis(N,N‐di(2‐picolyl))formylamide) for Cu²⁺ using di(2‐picolyl)amine (DPA) as the recognition group and a ruthenium(II) complex as the reporting group was synthesized and characterized successfully. It demonstrates a high selectivity and efficient signaling behavior only for Cu²⁺ with obvious red‐shifted MLCT (metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer transitions) absorptions and dramatic fluorescence quenching compared with Zn²⁺ and other metal ions.     

Single Crystal‐to‐Single Crystal Site‐Selective Postsynthetic Metal Exchange in a Zn–MOF Based on Semi‐Rigid Tricarboxylic Acid and Access to Bimetallic MOFs

The metal ions in a neutral Zn–MOF constructed from tritopic triacid H₃L with inherent concave features, rigid core, and peripheral flexibility are found to exist in two distinct SBUs, that is, 0D and 1D. This has allowed site‐selective postsynthetic metal exchange (PSME) to be investigated and reactivities of the metal ions in two different environments in coordination polymers to be contrasted for the first time. Site‐selective transmetalation of Zn ions in the discrete environment is shown to occur in a single crystal‐to‐single crystal (SCSC) fashion, with metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Ru³⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, etc., whereas those that are part of 1D SBU sustain structural integrity, leading to novel bimetallic MOFs, which are inaccessible by conventional approaches. To the best of our knowledge, site‐selective postsynthetic exchange of an intraframework metal ion in a MOF that contains metal ions in discrete as well as polymeric SBUs is heretofore unprecedented.     

Synthesis,Spectral, Thermal Studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)‐arginato Complexes. Crystal Structure of Monoaquabis(arginato‐κO,κN)copper(II). [Cu(arg)2(H2O)].NaNO3

Transition metal complexes of arginine (using Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) cations separately) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, TG/DTA‐DrTG, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis methods. Cu(II)‐Arg complex crystals was found suitable for x‐ray diffraction studies. It was contained, one mole Cu^II and Na⁺ ions, two arginate ligands, one coordinated aqua ligand and one solvent NO₃^? group in the asymmetric unit. The principle coordination sites of metal atom have been occupied by two N atoms of arginate ligands, two carboxylate O atoms, while the apical site was occupied by one O atom for Cu^II cation and two O atoms for Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II atoms of aqua ligands. Although Cu^II ion adopts a square pyramidal geometry of the structure. Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II cations have octahedral due to coordination number of these metals. Neighbouring chains were linked together to form a three‐dimensional network via hydrogen‐bonding between coordinated water molecule, amino atoms and O atoms of the bridging carboxylate groups. Cu^II complex was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁, a = 8.4407(5) Å, b = 12.0976(5) Å, c = 10.2448(6) Å, V = 1041.03(10) ų, Z = 2. Structures of the other metal complexes were similar to CuII complex, because of their spectroscopic studies have in agreement with each other. Copper complex has shown DNA like helix chain structure. Lastly, anti‐bacterial, anti‐microbial and anti‐fungal biological activities of complexes were investigated.     

Metal‐Ion‐Mediated Tuning of Duplex DNA Binding by Bis(2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole)

Studies of double‐stranded‐DNA binding have been performed with three isomeric bis(2‐(n‐pyridyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole)s (n=2, 3, 4). Like the well‐known Hoechst 33258, which is a bisbenzimidazole compound, these three isomers bind to the minor groove of duplex DNA. DNA binding by the three isomers was investigated in the presence of the divalent metal ions Mg²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺. Ligand–DNA interactions were probed with fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. These studies revealed that the binding of the 2‐pyridyl derivative to DNA is dramatically reduced in the presence of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ ions and is abolished completely at a ligand/metal‐cation ratio of 1:1. Control experiments done with the isomeric 3‐ and 4‐pyridyl derivatives showed that their binding to DNA is unaffected by the aforementioned transition‐metal ions. The ability of 2‐(2‐pyridyl)benzimidazole to chelate metal ions and the conformational changes of the ligand associated with ion chelation probably led to such unusual binding results for the ortho isomer. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) reversed the effects completely.     

Characterization of the polymorphic states of copper(II)‐bound Aβ(1–16) peptides by computational simulations

Understanding the polymorphic states of metal amyloid β (Aβ) interactions helps to elucidate metal‐mediated events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Systematic investigations on the effects of metal ions such as Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on the structural and thermodynamic properties of Aβ at the molecular lever seem desirable. In this study, a set of new AMBER force field parameters was developed to model various Cu²⁺ coordination spheres of Aβ. These parameters including force constants and partial charges obtained using restrained electrostatic potential method were then validated in replica‐exchange molecular dynamics simulations on six Cu²⁺‐Aβ(1–16) systems. The Cu²⁺ coordination geometry differs depending on the Cu²⁺ binding fashions. The structural analyses reveal that Aβ(1–16) prefers turn conformations, which provides a geometrical favor to establish multiple Cu²⁺ coordination modes in solution at physiological pH. The relative stability of different Cu²⁺‐Aβ(1–16) complexes was estimated by free energy calculations. The Cu²⁺ ligands in the most stable Cu²⁺‐Aβ(1–16) structure involve Glu³, His⁶, His¹³ and His¹⁴ in terms of MM/3D‐RISM (molecular mechanics/three‐dimensional reference interaction site model). The solvation free energy and conformational entropy calculated by 3D‐RISM method suggest that the binding of Cu²⁺ within Aβ(1–16) is a spontaneous process. The overlap of the preparation free energy distributions demonstrates the heterogeneous states of Aβ(1–16) conformations that are ready for Cu²⁺ binding whereas the populations of such polymorphic states may shift at differing pH. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Pd‐Catalyzed Decarboxylative Cross‐Coupling of 2‐Carboxyazine N‐Oxides with Various (Hetero)aryl Halides

Decarboxylative cross‐coupling reactions of substituted 2‐carboxyazine N‐oxides, with a variety of (hetero)aryl halides, by bimetallic Pd⁰/Cu^I and Pd⁰/Ag^I catalysis are reported. Two possible pathways, a conventional bimetallic‐catalyzed decarboxylative arylation, as well as a protodecarboxylative/direct C?H arylation sequence have been considered. These methods provide the first general decarboxylative arylation methodology for the 2‐carboxyazine series.     

catena‐Poly[hexaaquamagnesium(II) [bis(μ3‐5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalato)dicopper(II)] dihydrate]

In the centrosymmetric dinuclear anions of the title bimetallic complex, {[Mg(H₂O)₆][Cu₂(C₈H₂NO₇)₂]·2H₂O}_n, each Cu^II ion is strongly coordinated by four O atoms in a distorted square‐planar geometry. Two of these O atoms belong to phenolate groups and the other two to carboxylate groups from 5‐nitro‐2‐oxidoisophthalate (L1) trianions, derived from 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,2,3‐tricarboxylic acid (O₂N–H₃L). The phenolate O atoms bridge the two Cu^II ions in the anion. In addition, each Cu^II cation interacts weakly with a symmetry‐related carboxylate O atom of an adjacent L1 ligand, giving a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. The copper residue forms a ladder‐like linear coordination polymer via L1 ligands. The [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations sit on centres of inversion. The polymeric anions, cations and free water molecules are self‐assembled into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network via O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis of transition‐metal‐ion‐selective poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) hydrogels by the incorporation of an Aza crown ether

A functionalized cyclam was synthesized by the attachment of a polymerizable acryloyl group to one of the four nitrogens on the cyclam molecule. The polymerization of the functionalized cyclam was performed with N‐isopropylacrylamide and N,N′‐methylene bisacrylamide, and the gels obtained were studied in the presence of different transition‐metal‐ion solutions. There was a drastic difference in the phase‐transition temperature (T_c) of the poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)/cyclam gel in comparison with the pure PNIPAAm gel. For the described system, a T_c shift of 15 °C was obtained. The presence of functionalized cyclam increased the hydrophilicity and T_c of the aforementioned polymer gels in deionized water (at pH 6) because of the presence of protonated amino moieties. The PNIPAAm/cyclam gels showed a dependence of the swelling behavior on pH. T_c of the pure PNIPAAm gel was weakly influenced by the presence of any transition‐metal ions, such as Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Mn²⁺. The addition of Cu²⁺ or Ni²⁺ to the PNIPAAm/cyclam gel reduced T_c of the polymer gel, and a shift of approximately 12 °C was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1594–1602, 2003     

FRET‐based Fluorescent and Colorimetric Probe for Selective Detection of Hg(II) and Cu(II) with Dual‐mode

A dual‐function fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)‐based fluorescent and colorimetric probe was rationally fabricated from an energy donor coumarin moiety and an energy acceptor rhodamine moiety linked by a thiohydrazide arm for selective detection of Hg²⁺ and Cu²⁺. Two distinct mechanisms were used for the selective detection. Results revealed that probe 1 showed high fluorescent selectivity towards Hg²⁺ and evident colorimetric selectivity for Cu²⁺, which was suitable for ‘naked‐eye’ detection.     

A valence bond model for aqueous Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions in the AMOEBA polarizable force field

A general molecular mechanics (MM) model for treating aqueous Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions was developed based on valence bond (VB) theory and incorporated into the atomic multipole optimized energetics for biomolecular applications (AMOEBA) polarizable force field. Parameters were obtained by fitting MM energies to that computed by ab initio methods for gas‐phase tetra‐ and hexa‐aqua metal complexes. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the proposed AMOEBA‐VB model were performed for each transition metal ion in aqueous solution, and solvent coordination was evaluated. Results show that the AMOEBA‐VB model generates the correct square‐planar geometry for gas‐phase tetra‐aqua Cu²⁺ complex and improves the accuracy of MM model energetics for a number of ligation geometries when compared to quantum mechanical (QM) computations. On the other hand, both AMOEBA and AMOEBA‐VB generate results for Zn²⁺–water complexes in good agreement with QM calculations. Analyses of the MD trajectories revealed a six‐coordination first solvation shell for both Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions in aqueous solution, with ligation geometries falling in the range reported by previous studies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Highly Selective All‐Plastic,Disposable, Cu2+‐Selective Electrodes

Conducting polymers (CP) remain a promising material to construct stable potential all‐solid‐state ion‐selective potentiometric electrodes. The unique properties of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(4‐styrenesulfonate) ions, PEDOT‐PSS: high CP stability and affinity of doping anions towards Cu²⁺ ions, make it highly attractive for construction of all‐solid‐state copper(II)‐selective electrodes with outstanding selectivity. The additional benefits can arise from solution processability of commercially available PEDOT‐PSS system. This material was highly promising for a new sensor arrangement, i.e. to obtain disposable, planar and flexible all‐plastic Cu²⁺‐selective electrodes. These sensors can be obtained by casting a commercially available dispersion of PEDOT‐PSS (Baytron P) on a plastic, non‐conducting support material. The CP being both electrical lead and ion‐to‐electron transducer, was covered with plastic, solvent polymeric Cu²⁺ selective membrane. This extremely simple arrangement, after conditioning in dilute Cu²⁺ solution, was characterized with linear Nernstian responses within the activities range from: 0.1 to 10^?4 M, followed by super‐Nernstian responses for lower activities. The latter result points to effective elimination of primary ions leakage from the plastic membrane / transducer phase and has resulted in significantly improved selectivities. Obtained log K values were equal to ?7.6 for Co²⁺, ?7.4 for Zn²⁺, ?7.2 for Ca²⁺ and ?6.8 for Na⁺, respectively.     

Binding of Cu+ and Cu2+ with peptides: Peptides = oxytocin,Arg8‐vasopressin,bradykinin, angiotensin‐I,substance‐P,somatostatin, and neurotensin

The intrinsic binding ability of 7 natural peptides (oxytocin, arg⁸‐vasopressin, bradykinin, angiotensin‐I, substance‐P, somatostatin, and neurotensin) with copper in 2 different oxidation states (Cu^I/II) derived from different Cu^+/2+ precursor sources have been investigated for their charge‐dependent binding characteristics. The peptide‐Cu^I/II complexes, [M − (n‐1)H + nCu^I] and [M − (2n‐1)H + nCu^II], are prepared/generated by the reaction of peptides with CuI solution/Cu‐target and CuSO₄ solution and are analyzed by using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The MALDI mass spectra of both [M − (n‐1)H + nCu^I] and [M − (2n‐1)H + nCu^II] complexes show no mass shift due to the loss of ─H atoms in the main chain ─NH of these peptides by Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ deprotonation. The measured m/z value indicates the reduction of Cu^I/II oxidation state into Cu⁰ during MALDI processes. The number and relative abundance of Cu⁺ bound to the peptides are greater compared with the Cu²⁺ bound peptides. Oxytocin, arg⁸‐vasopressin, bradykinin, substance‐P, and somatostatin show the binding of 5Cu⁺, and angiotensin‐I and neurotensin show the binding of 7Cu⁺ from both CuI and Cu targets, while bradykinin shows the binding of 2Cu²⁺, oxytocin, arg⁸‐vasopressin, angiotensin‐I, and substance‐P; somatostatin shows the binding of 3Cu²⁺; and neurotensin shows 4Cu²⁺ binding. The binding of more Cu⁺ with these small peptides signifies that the bonding characteristics of both Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ are different. The amino acid residues responsible for the binding of both Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ in these peptides have been identified based on the density functional theory computed binding energy values of Cu⁺ and the fragment transformation method predicted binding preference of Cu²⁺ for individual amino acids.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Metal Ions Based upon 1,8‐Naphthalimide and 8‐Hydroxyquinoline

A new fluorescent chemosensor based upon 1,8‐naphthalimide and 8‐hydroxyquinoline was synthesized, and its fluorescent properties in the presence of different metal cations (Hg²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ba²⁺) were investigated. It displayed fluorescence quenching with some heavy and transition metal (HTM) ions, and the quenching strongly depended on the nature of HTM ions.     

Metallkomplexe mit biologisch wichtigen Liganden. CLXVI Metallkomplexe mit Ferrocenylmethyl‐L‐cysteinat und 1,1′‐Ferrocenylbis‐(methyl‐L‐cysteinat) als Liganden

Metal Complexes of Biologically Important Ligands. CLXVI Metal Complexes with Ferrocenylmethylcysteinate and 1,1′‐Ferrocenylbis‐(methylcysteinate) as Ligands A series of complexes of transition metal ions ( Cr³⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ ) and of lanthanide ions ( La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Gd³⁺, Dy³⁺, Lu³⁺ ) with the anions of ferrocenylmethyl‐L‐cysteine [(C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄CH(R)SCH₂CH(NH₃⁺)CO₂^?] (L¹) and with the dianions of 1,1′‐ferrocenylbis(methyl‐L‐cysteine) [Fe(C₅H₄CH(R)SCH₂CH(NH₃⁺) CO₂^?)₂] (R = H, Me, Ph) (L²) as N,O,S‐donors were prepared. With the monocysteine ferrocene derivative L¹ as ligands complexes [M^IIL¹₂] or [Cr^IIIL¹₂]Cl type complexes are formed whereas the bis(cysteine) ligand L² yields insoluble complexes of type [ML²]_n, presumably as coordination polymers. The magnetic moments of [Mn^IIL²]_n, [Pr^IIIL²]_n(OH)_n and [Dy^IIIL²]_n(OH)_n exhibit “normal” paramagnetism.     

Novel polyamidoamine‐based hydrogel with an innovative molecular architecture as a Co2+‐, Ni2+‐, and Cu2+‐sorbing material: Cyclovoltammetry and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure studies

An amphoteric polyamidoamine (PAA)‐based hydrogel, named INT‐PAA1, with a novel molecular architecture was prepared and studied as a Co²⁺‐, Ni²⁺‐, and Cu²⁺‐sorbing material. This hydrogel was obtained by the synthesis of a PAA in the presence of a second presynthesized PAA carrying many primary amino groups as side substituents, which acted as a macromolecular crosslinking agent. Therefore, it had an intersegmented structure. INT‐PAA1 exhibited a remarkable sorption capacity and sorption rate for Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ that were advantageously in situ monitored by cyclic voltammetry. An extended X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy characterization of the Co²⁺/INT‐PAA1 complex was also performed. The very fast and quantitative metal‐ion uptake, made apparent by an intense coloring of the hydrogel, showed remarkable potential for environmental applications such as heavy‐metal detection, recovery, and elimination. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2316–2327, 2006     

Adsorption properties for metal ions of waste poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) fiber after chemical modification

Waste poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) fibers (PPTA) were chemically modified through nitration and nitro‐reduction reactions to obtain nitro‐ and amino‐containing fibers and used as adsorbents for metal ions. The structures of the modified fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Metal ions, such as Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Hg²⁺, were used to determine the adsorption capacities of the PPTA fibers before and after modification in aqueous solutions. The results showed that the modification improved the adsorption capability of fibers and extraction ratio of metal ions significantly. The adsorption mechanism of modified PPTA fibers for metal ions was proposed. The adsorption processes of Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Cu²⁺ followed well a pseudosecond‐order model onto PPTA‐NH₂. The Langmuir and Freundlich models were employed to fit the isothermal adsorption. The results revealed that the linear Langmuir isotherm model is better‐fit model to predict the experimental data. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.