The synthesis of poly(hydroxamic acid) from poly(acrylamide)

Poly(hydroxamic acid) in gel or water soluble from was prepared from the reaction of poly(acrylamide) and hydroxylamine in basic aqueous solution (pH > 12) at room temperature. The polymers were composed of 70% hydroxamic acid groups, less than 5% carboxylic acid groups, and 25% unreacted amide groups. The polymers exhibited high affinity to iron(III) and copper(II) in the pH range of 1 to 5 with a high binding rate. A binding of 3 mmol/g for both metals was achieved. Preliminary tests demonstrated the urease inhibitory activity of both linear and crosslinked poly(hydroxamic acids).