Synthesis of new chelating surfactants from octyl D-glucopyranosiduronic acid and amino acids for metal flotation.

A new family of surfactants with metal-chelating properties was synthesized in few steps from octyl D-glucopyranosiduronic acid. The complexing function was either a carboxylic acid or a hydroxamic acid function introduced after coupling with glycine, aspartic acid, or glutamic acid and finally hydroxylamine. Interfacial properties were determined. Flotation experiments on a laboratory scale have been performed with Fe(III) solutions as model contaminant metal.

Synthesis of sugar-based chelating surfactants for metal removal from wastewater.

Four chelating surfactants were synthesized in a few steps from octyl D-glucosides. Their main interfacial properties were determined, and their flotation properties were evaluated on a laboratory scale using Fe(III) as a model contaminant metal. The performance on metal extraction was mainly dependent on the complexing functional group, but the surfactant efficiency was also important.