The interactions of metal extractant reagents: VI. Aggregation equilibria of Cyanex 302 and Span 80 in toluene solutions

The aggregation equilibria of the commercial extractant Cyanex 302 in toluene have been studied by vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) at different temperatures. The experimental data, treated both graphically and numerically by means of the CPMIN program, can be explained by assuming the formation of a dimer species of the active component bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)thiophosphinic acid for which the aggregation constants have been determined at 28, 40 and 50°C. The influence of other components of the commercial reagent in the aggregation equilibria have also been considered. The interaction between Cyanex 302 and the non-ionic surfactant Span 80 in toluene has also been investigated by VPO and the experimental results interpreted by the formation of mixed species between both reagents.