Structural studies of immobilized ethylenediamine as a preconcentrating agent for molybdate and tungstate

The structure of the complex formed between molybdate and the diamine functional group of N-β-aminoethyl-γ-aminopropylsilane (Dow Corning 2-6020) immobilized on a silica substrate is determined and compared with the analogous complex precipitated from solution. Infrared spectroscopy and photoacoustic spectroscopy were applied to establish the nature of the complex. The precipitate formed with ethylenediamine contains a polymeric molybdate species, whereas the molybdate retained by the immobilized ethylenediamine group is monomeric. Trace levels of tungstate and molybdate can be extracted from aqueous concentrated sodium chloride solutions on a column packed with controlled-pore glass beads treated with Z-6020.