Interaction of mixed-donor macrocycles containing the 1,10-phenanthroline subunit with selected transition and post-transition metal ions: metal ion recognition in competitive liquid-liquid solvent extraction of Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Ag(I), and Hg(II)

Two new mixed aza-thia crowns 5-aza-2,8-dithia[9]-(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (L(4)) and 2,8-diaza-5-thia[9]-(2,9)-1,10-phenanthrolinophane (L(7)) have been synthesized and characterized. The coordination behavior of L(4) and L(7) toward the metal ions Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Ag(I) was studied in aqueous solution by potentiometric methods, in CD3CN/D2O 4:1 (v/v) by (1)H NMR titrations and in the solid state. The data obtained were compared with those available for the coordination behavior toward the same metal ions of structurally analogous mixed donor macrocyclic ligands L(1)-L(3), L(5), L(6): all these contain a phenanthroline subunit but have only S/O/N(aromatic) donor groups in the remaining portion of the ring and are, therefore, less water-soluble than L(4) and L(7). The complexes [Cd(NO3)2(L(5))], [Pb(L(7))](ClO4)2 x 1/2MeCN, [Pb(L(4))](ClO4)2 x MeCN, and [Cu(L(7))](ClO4)2 x 3/2MeNO2 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The efficacy of L(1)-L(7) in competitive liquid-liquid metal ion extraction of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Ag(I), and Hg(II) was assessed. In the absence of Hg(II), a clear extraction selectivity for Ag(I) was observed in all systems investigated.     

A new pyridine-based 12-membered macrocycle functionalised with different fluorescent subunits; coordination chemistry towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II)

The coordination chemistry of the new pyridine-based, N2S2-donating 12-membered macrocycle 2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (L1) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) has been investigated both in aqueous solution and in the solid state. The protonation constants for L1 and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions have been determined potentiometrically and compared with those of ligand L2, which contains a N-aminopropyl side arm. The measured values show that Hg(II) in water has the highest affinity for both ligands followed by Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II). For each metal ion considered, 1:1 complexes with L1 have also been isolated in the solid state, those of Cu(II) and Zn(II) having also been characterised by X-ray crystallography. In both complexes L1 adopts a folded conformation and the coordination environments around the two metal centres are very similar: four positions of a distorted octahedral coordination sphere are occupied by the donor atoms of the macrocyclic ligand, and the two mutually cis-positions unoccupied by L1 accommodate monodentate NO3- ligands. The macrocycle L1 has then been functionalised with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular, the N-dansylamidopropyl (L3), N-(9-anthracenyl)methyl (L4), and N-(8-hydroxy-2-quinolinyl)methyl (L5) pendant arm derivatives of L1 have been synthesised and their optical response to the above mentioned metal ions investigated in MeCN/H2O (4:1 v/v) solutions.     

Zinc(II), Cadmium(II), Mercury(II), and Lead(II) Complexes of N-Carboxymethyl-D,L-threonine in Aqueous Solution

The formation of complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) and N-carboxymethyl-D,L-threonine (H₂CMT, H₂L) in aqueous solutions has been studied by spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. The complexation model for each system has been established by the HYPERQUAD program from the potentiometric data. Three different behaviors are found: ML₂H, MLH, ML, MLOH, and ML₂ complexes are formed by Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions, ML₂H, ML, MLOH, and ML₂ are formed by Hg(II) ion, and only 1/1 complexes MLH, ML, and MLOH are formed by the Pb(II) ion. The formation constants determined for all these complexes allow simulation of experimental titration curves with good agreement. The speciation of multimetal systems with H₂CMT shows that this compound is a good and selective ligand at low pH for the Hg(II) ion.     

Salisaldehyde-2-aminobenzimidazole schiff base complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)

New metal complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with salicylidine-2-aminobenzimidazole (SABI) are synthesized and their physicochemical properties are investigated using elemental and thermal analyses, IR, conductometric, solid reflectance and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The base reacts with these metal ions to give 1:1 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in cases of Fe(III), Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions; and 1:2 (Metal:SABI) complexes; in case of Ni(II) ion. The conductance data reveal that Fe(III) complex is 2:1 electrolyte, Co(II) is 1:2 electrolyte, Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes are 1:1 electrolytes while Ni(II) is non-electrolyte. IR spectra showed that the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in a terdentate mannar with O, N, N donor sites of the phenloic -OH, azomethine -N and benzimidazole -N3. Magnetic and solid reflectance spectra are used to infer the coordinating capacity of the ligand and the geometrical structure of these complexes. The thermal decomposition of the complexes is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated and/or crystallization water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the complexes is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss. Different thermodynamic activation parameters are also reported, using Coats-Redfern method. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

'Thiacalix[4]aniline' as a highly specific extractant for Au(III) and Pd(II) ions

Thiacalix[4]aniline (4), a cyclic tetramer of p-tert-butylaniline bridged with four sulfides, extracted Au(III) and Pd(II) ions specifically from acidic solutions among 41 metal ions including soft metal ions such as Hg(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), and Cu(II).     

Polarographic study of the dipropyldithiophosphinate complexes of Pd(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Zn(II) ions

The complexes of the dithiophosphinic acids with Pd(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and ZN(II) in a toluene-ethanol medium produce single polarographic waves. The half-wave potential is a linear function of the ligand concentration. The stabilities of these chelates, which are characterized by a sulphur-metal bond, are in the order: Pd(II) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II).     

Determination of Ge(IV), Sn(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) by ring colorimetry after separation by thin-layer chromatography

Summary Clean and rapid analytical separation of microgram quantities of Ge(IV), Sn(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) from their mixed solution has been made possible by ascending thin-layer chromatography using the solvent systems: (a)Isobutyl alcohol: Conc. HCl: Et-Me ketone and (b) Isobutyl alcohol: CH₃COOH. For the evaluation of different metal ions, the resulting delineated spots as viewed in U.V. light were scooped out with the help of micro-vacuum cleaner and the collected material transferred to the paper set on the ring oven. Separate rings were obtained for individual metal ions and the computation of results having been made by ring colorimetry, using PTC and other chromogenic reagents.

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Bestimmung von Ge(IV), Sn(II), Pb(II) und Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) durch Ring-Colorimetrie nach Trennung durch Dünnschicht-Chromatographie

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Détermination de Ge(IV), Sn(II), Pb(II) et de Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) par colorimétrie annulaire après séparation par chromatographie sur couche mince

     

A new chelating resin for preconcentration and determination of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A new polychelatogen, AXAD-16-1,2-diphenylethanolamine, was developed by chemically modifying Amberlite XAD-16 with 1,2-diphenylethanolamine to produce an effective metal-chelating functionality for the preconcentration of Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) and their determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Various physiochemical parameters that influence the quantitative preconcentration and recovery of metal were optimized by both static and dynamic techniques. The resin showed superior extraction efficiency with high-metal loading capacity values of 0.73, 0.80, 0.77, 0.87, 0.74, and 0.81 mmol/g for Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The system also showed rapid metal-ion extraction and stripping, with complete saturation in the sorbent phase within 15 min for all the metal ions. The optimum condition for effective metal-ion extraction was found to be a neutral pH, which is a great advantage in the preconcentration of trace metal ions from natural water samples without any chemical pretreatment of the sample. The resin also demonstrated exclusive ion selectivity toward targeted metal ions by showing greater resistivity to various complexing species and more common metal ions during analyte concentration, which ultimately led to high preconcentration factors of 700 for Cu(II); 600 for Mn(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II); and 500 for Cd(II) and Pb(II), arising from a larger sample breakthrough volume. The lower limits of metal-ion detection were 7 ng/mL for Mn(II) and Ni(II); 5 ng/mL for Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II), and 10 ng/mL for Pb(II). The developed resin was successful in preconcentrating metal ions from synthetic and real water samples, multivitamin-multimineral tablets, and curry leaves (Murraya koenigii) with relative standard deviations of < or = 3.0% for all analytical measurements, which demonstrated its practical utility.     

Spectrophotometric study of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) complexes with some crown ethers in dimethylsulphoxide solution using murexide as a metallochromic indicator

The complexation reactions between Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions and benzo-15-crown-5, dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6 and 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 have been studied in dimethylsulphoxide solution at 25 degrees by means of a competitive spectrophotometric method using murexide as a metallochromic indicator. With the exception of Pb(II)(benzo-15-croqn-5)(2) the stoichiometry of the resulting complexes was found to be 1:1. The formation constants of the complexes were determined, and found to follow the Irving-Williams rule for the cations of the first transition series. It was found that the metal ion-18-crown interactions are strongly dependent on the nature of the substituents on the ring.     

Synthesis and structural studies of complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with substituted chalcones

Complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with 3-(2-pyridyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (PHPO), 3-(1-naphthyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (NHPO) and 3-(3,4-dimethoxy phenyl)-1-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-propen-1-one (DMPHPO) have been synthesized and characterized by analytical, conductivity, thermal, magnetic, infrared, electronic and electron spin resonance data. Based on analytical data the stoichiometry of the complexes has been found to be 1 : 2. The conductivity data show that all these complexes are non-electrolytes. The infrared spectral data indicate that the ligand PHPO acts as uninegative tridentately towards Co(II) and Ni(II) and bidentately with Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II). Ligands like NHPO and DMPHPO act as uninegative bidentately with all the metal ions. The electronic spectral data suggest that all the Co(II) complexes and Ni(II) of PHPO complex are octahedral and all the Cu(II) and Ni(II) of NHPO and DMPHPO complex are square-planar. The complex of Zn(II) and Cd(II) are tetrahedral. ESR parameters of Cu(II) complexes have been calculated and relevant conclusions have been drawn with respect to the nature of bonds present in them.     

Voltammetric analysis of Cu (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) complexes and their cyclic voltammetry with several cephalosporin antibiotics

Both osteryoung square wave voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry have been utilized to elucidate and confirm the possible complexation reaction that occur between the various cephalosporin antibiotics and either the toxic, non-essential metal ion, viz. Cd (II), or the essential but toxic (when their concentration exceeds certain level in serum) metal ions, viz. Cu (II) and Zn (II). Voltammetric measurements indicated the existence of 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio (as in cephalexin and cephapirin complexes), 1:2 ratio (such as in cefamandole, cefuroxime and cefotaxime complexes) and 2:1 ratio in case of ceftazidime complexes. Adsorption behavior was evidenced for Cu (II)-cefuroxime or ceftazidime complexes as well as for those for Zn (II)-cephalexin or cephapirin. This phenomenon could be used for the determination of either the antibiotic or the metal ion using adsorptive stripping voltammetry. Detection limits down to 7x10(-10) M have been easily achieved.     

Preparation,Properties and Thermal Decompositions of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) Complexes of 2,5-dichlorobenzoic Acid

Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 2,5-dichlorobenzoates were prepared and their compositions and solubilities in water at 295 K were determined. The IR spectra and X-ray diffractograms of the obtained complexes were recorded. The complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) were obtained as solids with a 1:2 molar ratio of metal to organic ligand and different degrees of hydration. When heated at a heating rate of 10 K min^-1, the hydrated complexes lose some (Co, Zn) or all (Ni, Cu, Cd) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose to oxide MO (Co, Ni) or gaseous products (Cu, Zn, Cd). When heated at a heating rate of 5 K min^-1, the complexes of Ni(II) and Cu(II) lose some (Ni) or all (Cu) of the crystallization water molecules and then decompose directly to MO. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions on a 2-mercaptobenzimidazole-modified silica gel

The chemically modified silica, obtained by reacting 2-mercaptobenz-imidazole with 3-chloropropyl silica gel, was used to adsorb Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions at various pH. Between pH 3–5, the order of selectivity was Hg(II) > Cd(II) Cu(II) Zn(II) Pb(II). Under batch conditions retentions of 100% were achieved for all metals except for Pb(II) where 93% was attained. Under column conditions recoveries of 100% were obtained for all metals.     

Formation of Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I) and Cd(II) hexacyanocobaltates

A study is reported of the formation of Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Ag(I) and Cd(II) hexacyanocobaltates. The results show that the precipitates form by reaction of the metal ions with KCo(CN)(6)(2-) ion-pairs in 1:1 ratio, followed by solid phase transformations.     

Hg(II), Tl(III), Cu(I), and Pd(II) Complexes with 2,2'-Diphenyl-4,4'-Bithiazole (DPBTZ), Syntheses and X-Ray Crystal Structure of [Hg(DPBTZ)(SCN)2]

Reaction of the ligand 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-bithiazole (DPBTZ) with Hg(SCN)₂, Tl(NO₃)₃, CuCl, and PdCl₂ gives complexes with stoichiometry [Hg(DPBTZ)(SCN)₂], [Tl(DPBTZ)(NO₃)₃], [Cu(DPBTZ)(H₂O)Cl]_, and [Pd(DPBTZ)Cl₂]. The new complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and infrared spectroscopy. The crystal structure of [Hg(DPBTZ)(SCN)₂] determined by X-ray crystallography. The Hg atom in the title monomeric complex, (2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-bithiazole)mercury(II)bisthiocyanate, [Hg(C₁₈H₁₂N₂S₂)(SCN)₂], is four-coordinate having an irregular tetrahedral geometry composed of two S atoms of thiocyanate ions [Hg-S 2.4025(15) and 2.4073(15) Å] and two N atoms of 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-bithiazole ligand [Hg-N 2.411(4) and 2.459(4) Å]. The bond angle S(3)-Hg(1)-S(4) of 147.46(5)° has the greatest derivation from ideal tetrahedral geometry. Intermolecular interaction between Hg(1) and two S atoms of two neighboring molecules, 3.9318(15) and 3.9640(18) Å, make the Hg(1) distort from a tetrahedron to a disordered octahedron. The attempts for preparation complexes of Tl(I), Pb(II), Bi(III), Cd(II) ions with 2,2′-diphenyl-4,4′-bithiazole ligand were not successful and also the attempts for preparation complexes of 4,4′,5,5′-tetraphenyl-2,2′-bithizole ligand with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Co(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), Fe(II), Fe(III), Cr(III), Zn(II), Tl(III), Pb(II), Hg(II), Cu(I), Pd(II) were not successful. This point can be regarded as the initial electron withdrawing of phenyl rings and also their spatial steric effects.     

A photometric study of the complexation reaction between Alizarin complexan and zinc(II), nickel(II), lead(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II)

The complexation reaction between Alizarin complexan ([3-N,N-di(carboxymethyl)aminomethyl]-1,2-dihydroxyanthraquinone; H(4)L) and zinc(II), nickel(II), lead(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II) has been studied by a spectrophotometric method. All these metal ions form 1:1 complexes with HL; 2:1 metal:ligand complex were found only for Pb(II) and Cu(II). The stability constants are (ionic strength I = 0.1, 20 degrees C): Zn(2+) + HL(3-) right harpoon over left harpoon ZnHL(-) log K +/- 3sigma(log K) = 12.19 +/- 0.09 (I = 0.5) Ni(2+) + HL(3-) right harpoon over left harpoon NiHL(-) log K +/- 3sigma(log K) = 12.23 +/- 0.21 Pb(2+) + HL(3-) right harpoon over left harpoon PbHL(-) log K +/- 3sigma(log K) = 11.69 +/- 0.06 PbHL(-) + Pb(2+) right harpoon over left harpoon Pb(2)L + H(+) log K approximately -0.8 Co(2+) + HL(3-) right harpoon over left harpoon CoHL(-) log K 3sigma(log K) = 12.25 + 0.13 Cu(2+) + HL(3-) right harpoon over left harpoon CuHL(-) log K 3sigma(log K) = 14.75 +/- 0.07 Cu(2+) + CuHL(-) right harpoon over left harpoon Cu(2)L + H(+) log K approximately 3.5 The solubility and stability of both the reagent and the complexes and the closenes of the values of the stability constants make this reagent suitable for the photometric detection of several metal ions in the eluate from an ion-exchange column.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic,magnetic and cyclic voltammetric characterization of some metal complexes of methionine: [(C5H10NO2S)2MII]; MII = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II)

Some metal complexes of DL–methionine were prepared in aqueous medium and characterized by different physico-chemical methods. Methionine forms 1:2 complexes with metal, M(II). The general empirical formula of the complexes is proposed as [(C₅H₁₀NO₂S)₂M^II]; where M^II = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II). All the complexes are extremely stable in light and air and optically inactive. Magnetic susceptibility data of the complexes demonstrate that they are high spin paramagnetic complex except Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes. The bonding pattern in the complexes are similar to each other as indicated by electronic absorption spectra and FTIR spectral analysis. The current potential data, peak separation (AE) and the peak current ratio (i_pa/i_pc) of the (Mn, Cu and Cd) complexes indicate that the charge transfer processes are irreversible, the systems are diffusion controlled and also adsorptive controlled. The charge transfer rate constant of metals in their complexes are less than those in their metal salts at identical experimental conditions due to the coordination of metal with methionine.     

Spectral,thermal and magnetic investigations of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates

Conditions for the preparation of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) 4-methylphthalates were investigated and their composition, solubility in water at 295 K and magnetic moments were determined. IR spectra and powder diffraction patterns of the complexes prepared with molar ratio of metal to organic ligand of 1.0:1.0 and general formula: M [ CH₃C₆H₃(CO₂)₂]·nH₂o (n=1-3) were recorded and their decomposition in air were studied. During heating the hydrated complexes are dehydrated in one (Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) or two steps (Cu) and next the anhydrous complexes decompose to oxides directly (Cu, Zn), with intermediate formation of carbonates (Mn, Cd), oxocarbonates (Ni) or carbonate and free metal (Co). The carboxylate groups in the complexes studied are mono- and bidentate (Co, Ni), bidentate chelating and bridging (Zn) or bidentate chelating (Mn, Cu, Cd). The magnetic moments for paramagnetic complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) attain values 5.92, 5.05, 3.36 and 1.96 M.B., respectively. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Fullerene-based anodic stripping voltammetry for simultaneous determination of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) in foodstuff

Various carbon nanomaterials for use in anodic stripping voltammetric analysis of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) are screened. Graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers and fullerene (C₆₀), dispersed in chitosan (Chit) aqueous solution, are used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The fullerene-chitosan modified GCE (C₆₀-Chit/GCE) displays superior performance in terms of simultaneous determination of the above ions. The electrodes and materials are characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The excellent performance of C₆₀-Chit/GCE is attributed to the good electrical conductivity, large surface area, strong adsorption affinity and unique crystalline structure of C₆₀. Using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry, the assay has the following features for Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively: (a) Peak voltages of +0.14, ?0.11, ?0.58 and???0.82 V (vs SCE); (b) linear ranges extending from 0.01–6.0 μM, 0.05–6.0 μM, 0.005–6.0 μM and 0.5–9.0 μM; and (c), detection limits (3σ method) of 3 nM (0.6 ppb), 14 nM (0.9 ppb), 1 nM (0.2 ppb) and 21 nM (2.4 ppb). Moreover, the modified GCE is well reproducible and suitable for long-term usage. The method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of these ions in spiked foodstuff.

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Graphical abstract Compared with graphene, carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers, an electrode modified with fullerene in chitosan electrode displays superior performance for the simultaneous anodic stripping voltammetric detection of Hg(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II).

     

Adsorptive accumulation of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) from water on montmorillonite: influence of acid activation

The present work investigates the influence of acid activation of montmorillonite on adsorption of Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) from aqueous medium and comparison of the adsorption capacities with those on parent montmorillonite. The clay-metal interactions were studied under different conditions of pH, concentration of metal ions, amount of clay, interaction time, and temperature. The interactions were dependent on pH and the uptake was controlled by the amount of clay and the initial concentration of the metal ions. The adsorption capacity of acid-activated montmorillonite increases for all the metal ions. The interactions were adsorptive in nature and relatively fast and the rate processes more akin to the second-order kinetics. The adsorption data fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, indicating that strong forces were responsible for the interactions at energetically nonuniform sites. The Langmuir monolayer capacity of the acid-activated montmorillonite is more than that of the parent montmorillonite (Cd(II): 32.7 and 33.2 mg/g; Co(II): 28.6 and 29.7 mg/g; Cu(II): 31.8 and 32.3 mg/g; Pb(II): 33.0 and 34.0 mg/g; and Ni(II): 28.4 and 29.5 mg/g for montmorillonite and acid-activated montmorillonite, respectively). The thermodynamics of the rate processes showed the adsorption of Co(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) to be exothermic, accompanied by decreases in entropy and Gibbs free energy, while the adsorption of Cd(II) and Cu(II) was endothermic, with an increase in entropy and an appreciable decrease in Gibbs free energy. The results have established the potential use for montmorillonite and its acid-activated form as adsorbents for Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) ions from aqueous media.