Heavy metal ion adsorbents having thioamide groups

Polyhydrazides are prepared by condensation of cyanuric chloride with dihydrazides of dibasic carboxylic acids and are sulfurized with phosphorus pentasulfide. Copolymers of acrylamide and dimethylacrylamide with divinylbenzene are also sulfurized with phosphorus pentasulfide. The sulfurized polymers adsorb mercuric ion. In order to incorporate thiocarbamide groups into a polymer matrix, methylolthioureas are condensed with polyethylenimine. The reactions are carried out in the solid state or in aqueous solution. In the former, water is distilled off from the solidified mixture of the reactants; in the latter, methylothiourea and polyethylenimine are allowed to react in the presence of sulfuric acid. The products are good mercuric ion adsorbents.