Synthesis of Polyfunctional Organophosphonate Ligands

ABSTRACT Bifunctional and polyfunctional ligands are finding increasing applications in metal ion liquid-liquid extraction processes, and there is interest in developing more rational design parameters to assist in the construction of ion specific ligand systems. The design and synthesis of several new families of polyfunctional organophosphonate ligands are reviewed here along with studies of the coordination chemistry of the ligands with lanthanide and uranyl ions.