Polymer supported 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(phenoxy acetic acid)porphyrin derivative for separation and preconcentration of d- and f-electron metals

5,10,15,20-tetrakis(phenoxy acetic acid) porphyrin (PAAP) was covalently linked to Merrifield chloromethylated resin. Characterization of PAAP and the modified polymeric matrix were performed by ¹H NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. The sorbent was used for the separation and enrichment of the d-electron metals (Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) at pH 6–8 and of the f-electron metals U(VI) and Th(IV) at pH 4–5. The metals ions were preconcentrated with a concentration factor range of 115–215 and then determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry or visible spectrophotometry using Arsenazo(III). The retained metals were eluted with 2.0 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃ in the case of the d-electron metals and 0.1/0.25 mol L⁻¹ HCl in the case of the f-electron metals. The procedure was validated by analyzing the NIST standard reference material 2709 (San Joaquin Soil). Correspondence: Melek Merdivan, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Dokuz Eylul University, 35160 Buca, Izmir, Turkey