The solvent extraction of iron from steel solutions with 2-hexylpyridine prior to the determination of trace elements

The distribution of iron(III) between aqueous hydrochloric acid and 0.1M 2-hexylpyridine in benzene was examined as a function of acid concentration in the aqueous solution, the metal concentration being kept constant, and as a function of increasing ferric chloride concentration at a constant acidity of hydrochloric acid. The distribution coefficient of Fe(III) (tracer) is dependent on the square of the 2-hexylpyridine concentration in the benzene phase. Negatively charged complexes of the type FeCl(2-)(5) may be the species extracted. The formation of a mixture of 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with 2-hexylpyridine is indicated. Salting-out effects of a number of salts have been investigated. Separation factors of several metal ions relative to iron(III) in 7M hydrochloric acid are also reported. The results indicate that iron(III) can be selectively separated from a large number of elements, and the method has been utilized for the preconcentration of non-ferrous metal ions in mild steels by selective separation of iron, before their subsequent determination by emission spectrometry.