Амберлит ИРА 68

Identification

Amberlite IRA 68 is a weakly basic anion exchange resin on an acrylic matrix with tertiary amino groups. English name Amberlite IRA 68, CAS number 9056-59-1. Synonyms: Amberlite IRA 68, IRA 68 (in the later nomenclature of the manufacturer it is also produced under the brand name Amberlite IRA-67).

Physico-chemical characteristics

• Appearance: gel form
• Density: 1.06 g/cm3
• Solubility in water: insoluble in water

Substance class, purpose and mechanism of action

An acrylic-based gel structure ion exchange resin with weakly basic tertiary amino groups, characterized by an unusually high capacity for large organic anions compared to styrene-divinylbenzene resins. The total exchange capacity is approximately 5.6 mEq/g dry resin. The mechanism of action is based on the reversible binding of anions of mineral and organic acids by tertiary amino groups of the resin with the formation of salts, which are then displaced during regeneration with alkali or ammonia solution. These acrylic weak-base resins effectively remove mineral acids as well as carbon dioxide and organic matter, reducing the ionic load on subsequent strong-base anion filters and protecting them from organic contamination.

Scope of application

• deacidification and deionization of process solutions
• isolation of acidic natural products, purification of novobiocin and cephalosporins
• separation of neutral and acidic amino acids at pH below 10
• removal of heparic acid in an acidic environment
• concentration of citric acid
• demineralization of cheese whey
• chromatographic separation of rare earth elements together with nitrilotriacetic acid

Safety Information

• WGK Germany: 3
• Hazard class code: 36/37/38
• Safety instructions: 26-36/37/39

Storage and transportation

Store in original containers, protecting the gel granules from drying out and freezing; The resin is insoluble in water and is usually supplied and stored moist. Transport under conditions that prevent mechanical damage to the granules and loss of moisture; when working, use skin and eye protection due to irritant effects according to hazard code 36/37/38.

Regeneration and service life

The exchange capacity of the resin is restored by alkaline or ammonia regeneration, which displaces bound anions from tertiary amino groups and returns the resin to its free working form. The service life of weakly basic gel resins on an acrylic matrix is ​​determined by the number of sorption-regeneration cycles and the purity of the treated solution: the presence of strong oxidizing agents or mechanical impurities accelerates the destruction of granules and reduces the exchange capacity.

Practical significance of unusual capacity

Compared to styrene-divinylbenzene weakly basic resins, the IRA 68 acrylic matrix better allows large organic molecules to pass to active centers, which explains its increased capacity for organic acids and natural compounds - a property that is especially valuable when working with complex biological and natural solutions, where the size of the target molecules limits the applicability of styrene analogues.