Abstract: The present invention relates to ion exchange compounds on cellulose basis having formula ##STR1## wherein R is a group that forms chelate complexes with metal ions, and Cell stands for the cellulose matrix. Suitable functional groups R are derivatives of known metal reactants, which show a high degree of selectivity for specific metal ions. The ion exchange compounds are able to fix specifically preferred ions e.g. metal ions even in a considerable excess of foreign ions, for example in concentrated salt solutions.The improved ion exchange compounds of this invention are prepared by reacting the compound ##STR2## with cellulose in the presence of alkali, diazotizing the cellulose derivative resulting therefrom and subsequently coupling couplable compounds which form chelate complexes with metal ions.

Abstract: Ion exchanges on cellulose basis containing groups of the formula ##STR1## in which R represents a functional group and n is zero or 1 are prepared, when n is zero, by reacting cellulose or a cellulose-like compound with a .beta.-hydroxyethylsulfonyl derivative and, when n is 1, by preparing a cellulose derivative from cellulose and an amino derivative of .beta.-hydroxyethylsulfone, diazotizing the cellulose derivative and introducing R-H functional groups by coupling of ligands capable of being coupled.