Quantitative separation of Al, Ga, In, and Tl by cation exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid-acetone

Up to 4 mmole (1 mmole each) of tervalent Al, Ga, In and Tl are separated from each other on a 60-ml column of AG50W-X8 resin of 200-400 mesh particle size by cation-exchange chromatography in hydrochloric acid-acetone mixtures. Separations are very sharp and without tailing. Recoveries for amounts from 1-100 mg average 100.0 +/- 0.1 % for the analysis of synthetic mixtures. An anion-exchange method is described for the separation of gallium from the hydrochloric acid-acetone eluate. Relevant cation-exchange distribution coefficients, anion-exchange coefficients for gallium in hydrochloric acid-acetone, an elution curve for all four elements and results of quantitative separations of synthetic mixtures are presented.