Radiochemical extraction of mercury(II) from acidic chloride solutions using dialkylsulphides

The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of Hg(II) from aqueous acidic chloride solutions has been investigated by tracer techniques using dialkylsulphides (R₂S) namely, dibutylsulphide (DBS) and dioctylsulphide (DOS) as extractants. These extraction data have been analyzed by both graphical and theoretical methods by taking into account complexation of the metal ion in the aqueous phase with inorganic ligands and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. The results clearly indicate that Hg(II) is extracted into xylene as HgCl₂ ^. nDBS/nDOS (where n = 2 and 3). The equilibrium constants of the extracted complexes have been deduced by non-linear regression analysis. The separation possibilities of Hg(II) from other metal ions viz. Ca(II), Mg(II), Ba(II) and Fe((III), which are present in the industrial wastes of the chlor-alkali industry has also been discussed.     

The synergistic extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) with mixtures of 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone and crown ethers

The extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions has been studied using mixtures of 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, benzo-18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6 or benzo-15-crown-5. The results demonstrate that these metal ions are extracted into chloroform as Th(PBI)(4) and UO(2)(PBI)(2) with HPBI alone and as Th(PBI)(4) . CE and UO(2)(PBI)(2) . CE in the presence of crown ethers (CE). The equilibrium constants of the above species have been deduced by non-linear regression analysis. The addition of a CE to the metal chelate system enhances the extraction efficiency and also improves the selectivities between thorium and uranium. IR spectral data of the extracted complexes were used to further clarify the nature of the complexes. The binding to the CEs by Th(PBI)(4) and UO(2)(PBI)(2) follows the CE basicity sequence but with DC18C6 and DB18C6, steric effects become more important.     

Spectrophotometric studies on ion-pair extraction equilibria of the iron(ii) and iron(III) complexes with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol

The ion-pair extraction equilibria of the iron(II) and iron(III) chelates of 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol (PAR, H(2)L) are described. The anionic chelates were extracted into chloroform with benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride (QC1) as counter-ion. The extraction constants were estimated to be K(ex1)(Fe(II)) = [Q{Fe(II)(HL)L}](0)/[Q(+)][{Fe(II)(HL)L}(-)] = 10(8.59 +/- 0.11), K(ex2)(Fe(II)) = [Q(2){Fe(II)L(2)}](o)/ [Q(+)](2)[{Fe(II)L(2)}(2-)] = 10(12.17 +/- 0.10) and K(ex1)(Fe(III)) = [Q{Fe((III))L(2)}](o)/(Q(+)][{Fe(III)L(2)}(-)] = 10(6.78 +/- 0.15) at I = 0.10 and 20 degrees , where [ ](o) is concentration in the chloroform phase. Aggregation of Q{Fe(III)L(2)} in chloroform was observed and the dimerization constant (K(d) = [Q(2){Fe(III)L(2)}(2)](o)/[Q{Fe(III)L(2)}](o)(2)) was evaluated as log K(d) = 4.3 +/- 0.3 at 20 degrees . The neutral chelates of {Fe(II)(HL)(2)} and {Fe(III)(HL)L}, and the ion-pair of the cationic chelate, {Fe(III)(HL)(2)}ClO(4), were also extracted into chloroform or nitrobenzene. The relationship between the forms and extraction properties of the iron(II) and iron(III) PAR chelates are discussed in connection with those of the nickel(II) and cobalt(III) complexes. Correlation between the extraction equilibrium data and the elution behaviour of some PAR chelates in ion-pair reversed-phase partition chromatography is also discussed.     

Extraction and separation studies of platinum(IV) with N-n-octylaniline

N-n-octylaniline in xylene is used for the extractive separation of platinum(IV) from acidic media. Platinum(IV) was extracted quantitatively with 10 ml of 3% reagent in xylene from 0.5 to 10 and 2.5 to 10 M hydrochloric and sulphuric acid, respectively. It was stripped from organic phase with water and estimated photometrically with stannous chloride. The effect of metal ion, acids, reagent concentration and of various foreign ions has been investigated. The method affords binary separation of platinum(IV) from iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II), and is applicable to the analysis of synthetic mixtures and alloys. The method is fast, accurate and precise.     

Liquid-liquid extraction study of tellurium(IV) with N-n-octylaniline in halide medium and its separation from real samples

N-n-Octylaniline in xylene is used for extractive separation of tellurium(IV) from hydrochloric acid media. Tellurium(IV) is extracted quantitatively with the 3% reagent in xylene from 5.5 to 7.5 M hydrochloric acid. It is stripped from organic phase with 1:1 ammonia and estimated spectrophotometrically with pyrimidine-2-thiol (4'-bromoPTPT). The effects of metal ion, acids, reagent concentration, diluents and various foreign ions have been investigated. The log-log plots of distribution ratio (D(Te(IV))) versus N-n-octylaniline concentration indicate that the nature of extracted species is [(RR'NH(2)(+))(2) TeCl(6)(2-)](org). The method affords binary separation of tellurium(IV) from gold(III), selenium(IV), bismuth(III), copper(II), lead(II), antimony(III), germanium(IV) and is applicable to the analyses of synthetic mixture containing associated metal ions and alloy samples. The method is simple, selective, rapid and accurate.     

Extraction of actinides and fission products by octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide from nitric acid media

Extraction of promethium(III), uranium(VI), plutonium(IV), americium(III), zirconium(IV), ruthenium(III), iron(III) and palladium(II) has been carried out with a mixture of octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) in dodecane. The effects of nitric acid, TBP and CMPO concentrations on the extraction of these metal ions have been studied. The nature of the species of the above metal ions extracted into the organic phase has been suggested.     

Analytical applications of a liquid anion-exchanger for the separation of uranium(IV) in malonate solution

Uranium was quantitatively extracted with 4% Amberlite LA-1 in xylene at pH 2.5-4.0 from 0.001 M malonic acid. It was stripped from the organic phase with 0.01 M sodium hydroxide and determined spectrophotometrically at 530 nm as its complex with 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol. Of various liquid anion-exchangers tested, Amberlite LA-1 was found to be best. Uranium was separated from alkali and alkaline earth metal ions, thallium(I), iron(II), silver, arsenic(III) and tin(IV) by selective extraction, and from zinc, cadmium, nickel, copper(II), cobalt(II), chromium(III), aluminium, iron(III), lead, bismuth, antimony(III) and yttrium by selective stripping. The separation from scandium, zirconium, thorium and vanadium(V) was done by exploiting differences in the stability of chloro-complexes.     

Solvent extraction separation of tin (IV) with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A)

Solvent extraction of tin(IV) from hydrochloric acid media was carried out with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A) in toluene. Tin(IV) was quantitatively extracted with 2.5x10(-2) M PC-88A in toluene from 0.1-0.3 M HCl when equilibrated for 5 min. Tin(IV) from the organic phase was stripped with 4 M HCl and determined spectrophotometrically by both the morin and pyrocatechol violet method. The nature of the extracted species was determined from the log-log plots. Various other diluents such as xylene, hexane and cyclohexane also gave quantitative extraction of tin. The metal loading capacity of the reagent was found to be 0-15 ppm of tin(IV). The extraction of tin(IV) was carried out in the presence of various ions to ascertain the tolerance limit of individual ions. Tin(IV) was successfully separated from commonly associated metal ions such as antimony(III), bismuth(III), lead(II), thallium(I), copper(II), nickel(II), etc. The method was extended for determination of tin in real samples.     

Solvent extraction behaviour of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), europium(III), thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) with 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone

The extraction behaviour of La(III), Ce(III), Eu(III), Th(IV) and U(VI) with 3-phenyl-4- benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) in chloroform has been studied. The mechanism of extraction and the species extracted have been identified. Extraction constants for each system have been calculated. The system has been used to separate Th(IV) from U(VI) and from La(III), Ce(III) and Eu(III). A comparison of the extraction constants with those for the 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone (HPMBP) and thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) systems indicates that HPBI extracts these metal species better than HPMBP and HTTA do.     

Extraction of ternary complexes of thorium(IV) with 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone and neutral donors from nitric acid medium

The extraction behaviour of thorium(IV) from aqueous nitric acid employing 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) in the presence of tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) as well as tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in xylene medium was investigated. The extraction constant (log k(ex)) for the binary organic phase species Th(PBI)(4) was determined to be 8.26 which is by far the largest amongst the corresponding values known for other beta-diketones. The overall extraction constant (log K) for the ternary species Th(PBI)(4) TBP and Th(PBI)(4).2TOPO were estimated to be 14.96 and 20.96 respectively. An inverse correlation of the adduct formation constant (log K(s)) with the pK(a) of the beta-diketones, 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone and HPBI, was observed. The steric as well as the electronic effects of adduct formation have been discussed. Analytical application of HPBI for the separation of (234)Th radiotracer from natural uranium (99.3% (238)U) has been suggested.     

Extraction of palladium with tri-isobutylphosphine sulphide (cyanex 471) in toluene from chloride solutions containing thiocyanate

The extraction of PD(II) by tri-isobutylphosphine sulphide, TIBPS (Cyanex 47 1x), in toluene from aqueous chloride solutions (containing small amounts of thiocyanate) has been investigated. The extraction is enhanced by the presence of thiocyanate, owing to formation of mixed-ligand Pd(II)-Cl(-)-SCN(-)-TIBPS complexes. Analysis of the metal distribution suggests the formation of PdCl(SCN).TIBPS, PdCl(SCN).2TIBPS, Pd(SCN)(2).TIBPS and Pd(SCN)(2).2TIBPS in the organic phase. The equilibrium constants are logK(111) =9.56, logK(112) =12.70, logK(121) =14.73 and logK(122) =17.17, respectively. The ultraviolet absorption spectra of the organic phase support the hypothesis of formation of mixed-ligand complexes.     

Ligational behaviour of lomefloxacin drug towards Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Th(IV) and UO(2)(VI) ions: synthesis, structural characterization and biological activity studies

Nine new mononuclear Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Th(IV) and UO₂(VI) complexes of lomefloxacin drug were synthesized. The structures of these complexes were elucidated by elemental analyses, IR, XRD, UV–vis, ¹H NMR as well as conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements and thermal analyses. The dissociation constants of lomefloxacin and stability constants of its binary complexes have been determined spectrophotometrically in aqueous solution at 25 ± 1 °C and at 0.1 M KNO₃ ionic strength. The discussion of the outcome data of the prepared complexes indicate that the lomefloxacin ligand behaves as a neutral bidentate ligand through OO coordination sites and coordinated to the metal ions via the carbonyl oxygen and protonated carboxylic oxygen with 1:1 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry for all complexes. The molar conductance measurements proved that the complexes are electrolytes. The powder XRD study reflects the crystalline nature for the investigated ligand and its complexes except Mn(II), Zn(II) and UO₂(II). The geometrical structures of these complexes are found to be octahedral. The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied where the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration in the first steps followed by decomposition of the anions, coordinated water and ligand molecules in the subsequent steps. The activation thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods. A comparative study of the inhibition zones of the ligand and its metal complexes indicates that metal complexes exhibit higher antibacterial effect against one or more bacterial species than the free LFX ligand. The antifungal and anticancer activities were also tested. The antifungal effect of almost metal complexes is higher than the free ligand. LFX, [Co(LFX)(H₂O)₄]·Cl₂ and [Zn(LFX)(H₂O)₄]·Cl₂ were found to be very active with IC50 values 14, 11.2 and 43.1, respectively. While, other complexes had been found to be inactive at lower concentration than 100 μg/ml.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of niobium(V) in the presence of other metals with high molecular mass amines and ascorbic acid

A novel method is proposed for the solvent extraction of niobium(V). A 0.1M solution of Aliquat 336S in xylene quantitatively extracts microgram quantities of niobium(V) from 0.01M ascorbic acid at pH 3.5-6.5. Niobium from the organic phase is stripped with 0.5M nitric acid and determined spectrophotometrically in the aqueous phase as its complex with TAR. The method permits separation of niobium not only from tantalum(V) but also from vanadium(IV), titanium(IV), zirconium(IV), thorium(IV), chromium(III), molybdenum(VI), uranium(VI), iron(III), etc. Niobium from stainless steel was determined with a precision of 0.42%.     

Rapid Solvent Extraction of Tin(IV) with High Molecular Weight Amine from Hydrochloric Acid Solution

A novel method has been developed for the solvent extraction of tin(IV) from 8 M hydrochloric acid with 4% N‐n‐octylaniline. Tin(IV) from the organic phase was determined spectrophotometrically with pyrocatechol violet at 550 nm. Extraction was found to be quantitative in the range of 7–10 M hydrochloric acid. When the concentration of N‐n‐octylaniline was varied from 0.05–20% in xylene, it showed that optimum concentration was > 3%. Amongst diluents like benzene and xylene, toluene was found to be an effective diluent. Effect of shaking time, concentration of metal ion, and salting out agents was studied. Tolerance limits of various diverse ions were determined by masking interfering cations. Tin(IV) was separated from associated elements in its binary mixture with Se(IV), Sb(III), Bi(III), Pb(II), Au(III), Cu(II) and Zn(II) and from its ternary mixtures with Sb(III), Bi(III) and Cu(II), Au(III). The proposed method was applied for separation and determination of tin(IV) in tin bearing alloys and foodstuffs.     

The extraction of various metals as their anionic complexes with edta by solutions of aliquat-336 chloride in 1.2-dichloroethane

The extraction of anionic complexes of EDTA with Ca. Mg, V(IV), V(V), Cr(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Co(III), Ni, Cu(II), Zn, Cd, Hg(II), Pd(II), Pb and Bi by solutions of Aliquat-336 chloride in 1,2-dichloroethane has been studied as a function of the pH of the aqueous phase. The order and extent of the extractability varies greatly with the pH and provides a number of new possibilities for separation procedures. Thus iron(III) can be separated from many other metals in strongly alkaline solution while the extraction of V(V), V(IV), Hg(II) and Pd(II) exceeds 99% over wide pH ranges. The complex of Mn(III) with EDTA which is very unstable in aqueous solution can be preserved for up to 5 h when extracted by Aliquat-336.One of us (R. H. A1-J.) wishes to thank the Ministry of Oil of the Republic of Iraq for financial support.     

Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) extraction of copper(II) and iron(III) associated with humic substances in water

Summary The extraction behaviour of copper(II) and iron(III) was studied in the presence of humic substances (humic and fulvic acids) by using DDTC and chloroform. Copper-humic complexes were nearly completely extracted over the pH range 3–9, indicating that DDTC reacted with copper more strongly than humic substances. Iron-humic substances, mainly existing as hydrated iron(III) oxide covered with humic substances, were not extracted quantitatively (recovery <70%), though hydrated iron(III) oxide itself was extracted with greater than 93% yields at pH 5–9. For complete extraction of the humic species, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) was useful, because it allowed extraction from slightly acidic solutions where the binding of iron-humic substances became weak.     

Neutral (bis-beta-diketonato) iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) metallocycles: structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies

Neutral dimeric metallocyclic complexes of type [M(2)(L(1))(2)B(n)] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II), L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,3-bis(RC(O)CH(2)C(O))C(6)H(4) (R=Me, n-Pr, t-Bu) and B is pyridine (Py) or 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy)) have been synthesised, adding to similar complexes already reported for copper(II). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. Structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction investigations of selected metal complex systems from the above series are reported, with the X-ray structures of [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] x 2.25CHCl(3) x 0.5H(2)O (R=Pr), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)] (R=Me) and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu) being presented. The electrochemistry of H(2)L(1) (R=t-Bu) and of [Fe(2)(L(1))(3)], [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)] and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)] has been examined. Oxidative processes for the complexes are dominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour were observed and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as a metal-centred oxidation. The reduction processes for the respective metal complexes are not simple, and irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving variable concentrations of metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique to probe the stoichiometries of the extracted species in each case. Synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was added to the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies show a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).     

Liquid-liquid extraction of iron(III) and gallium(III) with macrocyclic Schiff bases containing bisphenol A subunits

The quantitative extraction of iron(III) and gallium(III) was investigated with the recently synthesized macrocyclic Schiff base containing bisphenol A subunits. The phenol groups in the Schiff base moiety led to a large increase in the percent extraction of trivalent metal ions. The substitution of methoxy groups for phenolic OH ligands resulted in a marked decrease in the extractability of metal ions, and no iron(III) was extracted. The corresponding acyclic Schiff base was found to have a reasonable reactivity toward metal ions and a better solubility in organic solvents. The iron(III) and gallium(III) complexes with macrocyclic and acyclic Schiff bases were quantitatively extracted into nitrobenzene without the presence of bulky counter anions. A single extraction gave a good separation of iron(III) from iron(II) in the mole ratios 4:1 to 1:3. The red iron(III) complexes can be used for the extraction-spectrophotometric determination of iron(III). The apparent molar absorptivity at 518 nm is 5.43 × 10³lmol⁻¹ cm⁻¹.     

Tetranuclear polybipyridyl complexes of Ru(II) and Mn(II), their electro- and photo-induced transformation into di-mu-oxo Mn(III)Mn(IV) hexanuclear complexes

Three heterotetranuclear complexes, [{Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(3)Mn(II)](8+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 2, 4, 6), in which a Mn(II)-tris-bipyridine-like centre is covalently linked to three Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine-like moieties using bridging bis-bipyridine L(n) ligands, have been synthesised and characterised. The electrochemical, photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes have been investigated in CH(3)CN. The cyclic voltammograms of the three complexes exhibit two successive very close one-electron metal-centred oxidation processes in the positive potential region. The first, which is irreversible, corresponds to the Mn(II)/Mn(III) redox system (E(pa) approximately 0.82 V vs Ag/Ag(+) 0.01 M in CH(3)CN-0.1 M Bu(4)NClO(4)), whereas the second which is, reversible, is associated with the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple (E(1/2) approximately 0.91 V). In the negative potential region, three successive reversible four electron systems are observed, corresponding to ligand-based reduction processes. The three stable dimeric oxidized forms of the complexes, [Mn(2)(III,IV)O(2){Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](11+), [Mn(2)(IV,IV)O(2){Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](12+) and [Mn(2)(IV,IV)O(2){Ru(III)(bpy)(2)(L(n))}(4)](16+) are obtained in fairly good yields by sequential electrolyses after consumption of respectively 1.5, 0.5 and 3 electrons per molecule of initial tetranuclear complexes. The formation of the di-micro-oxo binuclear complexes are the result of the instability of the {[Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))](3)Mn(III)}(9+) species, which react with residual water, via a disproportionation reaction and the release of one ligand, [Ru(II)(bpy)(2)(L(n))](2+). A quantitative yield can be obtained for these reactions if the electrochemical oxidations are performed in the presence of an added external base like 2,6-dimethylpyridine. Photophysical properties of these compounds have been investigated showing that the luminescence of the Ru(II)-tris-bipyridine-like moieties is little affected by the presence of manganese within the tetranuclear complexes. A slight quenching of the excited states of the ruthenium moieties, which occurs by an intramolecular process, has been observed. Measurements made at low concentration (<1 x 10(-5) M) indicate that some decoordination of Mn(2+) arises in 1a-c. These measurements allow the calculation of the association constants for these complexes. Finally, photoinduced oxidation of the tetranuclear complexes has been performed by continuous photolysis experiments in the presence of a large excess of a diazonium salt, acting as a sacrificial oxidant. The three successive oxidation processes, Mn(II)--> Mn(III)Mn(IV), Mn(III)Mn(IV)--> Mn(IV)Mn(IV) and Ru(II)--> Ru(III) are thus obtained, the addition of 2,6-dimethylpyridine in the medium giving an essentially quantitative yield for the two first photo-induced oxidation steps as found for electrochemical oxidation.     

Disodium-1,8-dihydroxy-naphthalene-3,6-disulphonate (chromotropic salt) as a reagent in inorganic analysis

Summary The compound disodium-1,8-dihydroxy-naphthalene-3,6-disulphonate (sodium salt of chromotropic acid) is employed as a colorimetric reagent for titanium. It is also known to produce coloured complexes with chromium(VI), vanadium and uranium. In the present paper the formation of colour with forty metallic ions has been studied qualitatively, in neutral as well as in alkaline and acidic media. It has been found that the reagent yields coloured complexes with mercury(I), tin(IV), platinum(IV), gold(III), tellurium(VI), molybdenum(VI), iron(III), aluminium(III), chromium(III), and uranyl(II) besides those recorded above.The colour reactions are particularly sensitive to uranyl(II), iron(III), mercury(I), tin(IV), gold(III) und molybdenum(VI).