Takashiro Akitsu
For about a decade, we have studied on L-amino acid derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes and their photo-reaction with TiO2 [1], application for reduction of Cr(VI) ion [2], which is harmful to the environment, and some fundamental aspects such as crystal structures [3] for next molecular design and microwave synthesis and so on. Not only brief review of a course of study but also recent results about reaction in aqueous solutions will be mainly mentioned in this talk. A copper complex having a hydroxy group-bearing amino acid
derivative Schiff base as a ligand was synthesized. Similar to the related complex, it showed a reaction of reducing hexavalent chromium
ions to trivalent in methanol when irradiated with light. By introducing a hydroxy group this time, water-soluble complexes
were obtained, and they showed a reaction of reducing hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) ions to trivalent Cr(III) in water when titanium oxide TiO2 coexisted. The new point is that such a reaction can be
realized in an aqueous solvent.It is expected to be applied to convert hexavalent chromium ions,
which are harmful to the environment, into trivalent ions, which are relatively harmless. In the past, we received an inquiry from a
chrome plating factory as a new waste liquid treatment method.
However, due to cost constraints and restrictions on the solvent (before it was realized with water at that time), there was experience
that it was not practical.