A UK team of scientists has developed a new range of silica-based scavengers to remove palladium residues more quickly and efficiently, it has been reported.

Developed by Oxford-based PhosphonicS, the Liquid Metal Recovery Line of products uses multidentate ligands scavengers - or in the case of palladium removal, more probably sulphur-based ligands - which are attached to silica.

According to a report from Chemistry.org, through using a single unoptimised treatment with the scavenger at room temperature, it has been found that palladium levels after a Suzuki coupling can be cut from as much as 2100 ppm to just 1.6 pp.

Meanwhile, tests conducted with Heck and Sonogashira couplings showed similarly impressive results.

PhosphonicS' Chief Executive Officer David Astles said: "We're very happy to be able to add this product line to our portfolio, in response to customer demand.

"Many clients who have benefited from our purification technology wanted to see it extended to metal recovery processes."

Sources:

Remove palladium efficiently with these silica-based scavengers, 09/07/07
http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=heartcutarchive70907_heartcut.html#3

PhosphonicSTM launch new Liquid Metal Recovery technology - Press Release
http://www.phosphonics.com/downloads/2007%20Chemspec%20-%20Press%20Release.doc

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