Polymers for metal extractions in carbon dioxide

A method of extracting metals and metalloids, comprising:

• (a) contacting a first composition containing a metal or metalloid to be extracted with a second composition, said second composition comprising (i) a solvent comprising carbon dioxide, and (ii) a polymer in said carbon dioxide, said polymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds said metal or metalloid;
• with said ligand bound to said polymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof;
• and then
• (b) extracting said metal or metalloid from said first composition into said second composition.

A composition, comprising:

• (a) a solvent comprising carbon dioxide;
• (b) a polymer in said carbon dioxide, said polymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds a metal or metalloid;
• with said ligand bound to said polymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof;
• and
• (c) a metal or metalloid bound to said polymer by said ligand.

A method for the separation of metals and metalloids from a carrier medium, comprising:

• (a) providing as a carrier medium a composition comprising (i) a solvent comprising carbon dioxide, (ii) a polymer in said carbon dioxide, said polymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds said metal or metalloid;
• with said ligand bound to said polymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof;
• and (iii) a metal or metalloid bound to said polymer by said ligand;
• and then
• (b) separating said polymer from said carbon dioxide to thereby separate said polymer from said carrier medium.

A composition useful for the extraction of metals and metalloids, comprising:

• (a) a solvent comprising carbon dioxide;
• and
• (b) a fluoropolymer in said carbon dioxide, said fluoropolymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds said metal or metalloid;
• with said ligand bound to said fluoropolymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof.

A composition, comprising:

• (a) a solvent comprising carbon dioxide;
• (b) a fluoropolymer in said carbon dioxide, said fluoropolymer having bound thereto a ligand that binds a metal or metalloid;
• with said ligand bound to said fluoropolymer at a plurality of locations along the chain length thereof;
• and
• (c) a metal or metalloid bound to said polymer by said ligand.