Synthesis and Characterisation of Al3+ and Cr3+ Carboxyethyl Phosphonates and a Study of Their Ion Exchange Properties

New layered compounds of Aluminium (III) and Chromium (III) phosphonates, were synthesized by combining aqueous solution of M(NO3)3.5H2O (M=Cr or Al) and aqueous solution of 3- phosphonopropionic Acid. The phosphonates were characterized by infra-red Spectroscopy.The IR Spectra of these compounds confirms the presence of major functional groups in these compounds. Ion Exchange of Aluminium and Chromium (III) phosphonates were also investigated using Potassium (K+) and Nickel Ni2+) and they proved to be good ion exchangers. The compounds were found to have the following stoichiometry: Al2(O3PCH2CH2COOH)3 and Cr2(O3PCH2CH2COOH)3.