Solvent extraction of rare-earth metals by carboxylic acids

Journal Article · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/07366299208918101· OSTI ID:171565

Preez, A.C. du; Preston, J S ^[1]

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1. Mintek, Randburg (South Africa)

The solvent extraction of the trivalent lanthanides and yttrium from nitrate media by solutions of carboxylic acids in xylene has been studied. Commercially available carboxylic acids such as Versatic 10 and naphthenic acids were used, as well as model compounds of known structure, such as 2-ethylhexanoic and 3-cyclohexylpropanoic acids. In a few cases, extraction of the metals from sulphate and chloride solutions was also investigated. The dependence of the extraction properties of the carboxylic acids on the atomic number of the lanthanide shows a definite relationship to the steric bulk of the carboxylic acid molecule quantified by means of the steric parameter, E{sub s}{prime} of the substituent alkyl group. The stoichiometries of the extracted complexes for representative light (La), middle (Gd) and heavy (Lu) rare-earth metals were investigated by the slope-analysis technique for a sterically hindered acid (Versatic 10 acid; -E{prime}{sub s} = 3.83) and an acid with low steric hindrance (3-cyclohexylpropanoic acid; -E{prime}{sub s} = 0.28). 14 refs., 13 figs., 3 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 171565
• Journal Information: Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, Journal Name: Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 10; ISSN 0736-6299; ISSN SEIEDB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

40 CHEMISTRY
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHLORIDES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
NITRATES
PH VALUE
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SULFATES
XYLENES
YTTRIUM IONS