Tuneable separation of gold by selective precipitation using a simple and recyclable diamide.

ABSTRACT: The efficient separation of metals from ores and secondary sources such as electronic waste is necessary to realising circularity in metal supply. Precipitation processes are increasingly popular and are reliant on designing and understanding chemical recognition to achieve selectivity. Here we show that a simple tertiary diamide precipitates gold selectively from aqueous acidic solutions, including from aqua regia solutions of electronic waste. The X-ray crystal structure of the precipitate displays an infinite chain of diamide cations interleaved with tetrachloridoaurate. Gold is released from the precipitate on contact with water, enabling ligand recycling. The diamide is highly selective, with its addition to 29 metals in 2 M HCl resulting in 70% gold uptake and minimal removal of othe

SUBMITTER: Kinsman LMM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8556376 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature