Macromolecular metal complexes decomposition

The first chapter of the book deals with enzyme-like eatalysis by synthetic polymers - catalysis by polymeric acids and bases, amphoteric polyelectrolytes and nonionic polymers. Because coordination compounds of metal ions with macromolecular ligands are interesting with regard to bioinorganic chemistry, this book elucidates some problems involving the catalysis by water-soluble polymer-metal complexes. Ester hydrolysis, hydrogen peroxide decomposition, oxidation of disubstituted phenols, hydroquinones, mercaptoalcohols and other types of reaction are chosen as model processes. A section devoted to interfacial catalysis is also included. 

A more critical issue concerns the effect of the phosphoric acid, which as a dopant is always present in the membrane. Most of Fenton studies in literature have been performed in the absence of phosphoric acid. As recently pointed out by Liao et al. [54], the presence of phosphoric acid makes the situation more complicated since it forms complexes with metal ions and thus inhibits the H2O2 decomposition. Additionally, the lowered pH of the solution further prevents the decomposition of H2O2. Phosphoric acid present in the Fenton solution will also interact with the N-H groups of PBI, swelling the polymer and thus facilitating the access of the peroxide radicals to the macromolecular chains. 

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