SCAVENGER SUPPORTS WITH AMINO-FUNCTIONALISED PENDANT KETOESTER OR KETOAMIDE GROUPS FOR REMOVING METALS FROM SOLUTIONS

There is provided a process for removing metal from solution wherein a solution comprising a metal is contacted with a scavenger support, whereby the scavenger support binds to at least some of the metal in solution thereby decreasing the amount of metal in solution, characterized in that the scavenger support comprises a functionalized support comprising pendant groups selected from 1,3-ketoesters or 1,3-ketoamides or mixtures thereof attached to a support wherein a number of the pendant groups are reacted with an amine. Scavenger supports comprising a functionalized support comprising pendant 1,3-ketoester or 1,3-ketoamide groups of formula 1: wherein R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl group; X is O or NR2, wherein the free valence of O or NR2 is bonded to a support optionally via a linker; and R2 is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or heterocyclyl group, wherein a number of the pendant groups are reacted with an amine are also provided. Preferred scavenger supports include scavenger supports comprising pendant 3-iminoesters, 3-iminoamides, 2,3-enaminoesters or 2,3-enaminoamides pendant groups of Formula (3) or (4): wherein R1 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, perhalogenated hydrocarbyl or heterocyclyl group; X is O or NR2, wherein the free valence of O or NR2 is bonded to a support optionally via a linker; R2 is hydrogen, an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl, or heterocyclyl group; R4 is a substituent group; and R5 is hydrogen or a substituent group, or R4 and R5 may optionally be linked in such a way so as to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring, or tautomers or salts thereof.