Bisacylated diethylenetriamines as extractants for nonferrous metals from hydrochloric acid solutions

A series of bisacylated polyethylenepolyamines with linear and α-and α,α′-branched substituents were synthesized. The effects of the number of the nitrogen atoms in the polyethylenepolyamine fragment of the reagent and of the length and branching of its alkyl radicals on the extractant distribution between the organic and aqueous phases was studied. The performance characteristics of the extractants, such as the loss with the aqueous phase, hydrolytic stability, back extraction conditions for nonferrous metals, and Zn(II)/Fe(III) and Zn(II)/Cu(II) partition coefficients, were examined.