Synthesis,characterization and metal chelating properties of silica-physisorbed and chemisorbed-2,5-dioxypiperazine

2,5-Dioxypiperazine (DOPZ) was covalenty bonded as a chelating compound to chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (Si–Cl) for the formation of a new chemisorbed silica Si–(CH₂)₃–DOPZ]. Physisorbed silica-loaded-2,5-dioxypiperazine Si–DOPZ] was also synthesized via a physical adsorption approach. Elucidation of the chemisorption and physisorption of 2,5-dioxypiperazine onto silica was confirmed on the basis of 70 eV electron impact mass spectrometric (70 eV EI-MS) mode of ionization via a direct insertion probe (DIP) as a promising technique for providing characteristic fragment ion peaks. The metal probe testing method and elemental analysis were applied to determine the surface coverage values and these were found to be 0.179 and 0.160 mmol g⁻¹ for Si–(CH₂)₃–DOPZ] and 0.251 mmol g⁻¹ for Si–DOPZ]. Si–(CH₂)₃–DOPZ] was characterized by high stability in acidic and buffer solutions, pH 1–7, compared to Si–DOPZ]. Differential scanning calorimetry studies (DSC) for the modified silica were performed to evaluate the various thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation processes, and these have been enumerated. The results obtained by both EI-MS and DSC are very similar in many respects. Metal chelation and stoichiometric properties of chemically modified silica were evaluated on the basis of the metal binding capacity, distribution coefficient and separation factor for a series of metal ions. The evaluated results refer to the high metal chelating properties of Si–(CH₂)₃–DOPZ] for cadmium(II), lead(II) copper(II) and mercury(II). These four Si–(CH₂)₃–DOPZ]–metal complexes were also synthesized and the identified stoichiometric ratios were found to be 1:2 based on the nitrogen and metal analysis. EI-MS via 70-eV ionization was also used as a potential method for further confirmation of the metal complex formation based on structure and fragmentation elucidation. DSC studies of these four metal complexes were also performed and evaluated.