6533b85afe1ef96bd12b9ca4

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Chelation of toxic metals: from fundamental advances in macrocyclic chemistry to extracting materials

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Exposure to lead-contaminated tap water is a persistent issue in many western countries. In the context of the 98/83/EU directive, we got involved in the design of a cartridge-based purification system that could be mounted directly on a kitchen faucet. Solid-phase extraction by covalent attachment of a lead-selective sequestering agent to the surface of silica gel was thought as an efficient method to reduce the lead level below the new parametric value, as shown by pipe-loop tests.1 High binding affinity, selectivity, and fast uptake kinetics are of crucial importance. This fine-tuning was most conveniently achieved by taking advantage of the outstanding coordination properties displayed by N-functionalized tetraazamacrocycles bearing amidic side chains.2-3 Their structural, thermodynamic, and kinetic characterization will be discussed as well as solid/liquid extraction data.The outstanding recognition properties of some mesoporous hybrid materials were further exploited for the selective and sensitive detection of lead(II) in water by electrochemical methods.4 This project found also interesting outreaches in the field of chemosensors5-6 within the frame of the French-Russian Arcus Program and, more recently, of the joint binational LIA laboratory "LAMREM" supported by the CNRS and the Russian Academy of Sciences, which are acknowledged for their financial support.