The separation of rhodium and iridium by ion flotation

Mixtures of iridium(IV) and rhodium(III) as IrCl^2-₆ and RhCl^3-₆ are separated by ion flotation. The iridium(IV) is selectively floated from aqueous solutions of pH 2 and 0.05% Ce(IV) with either hexadecyltripropylammonium bromide (HTPAB) or hexadecyltributylammonium bromide (HTBAB). The rhodium(III) does not float under the same conditions. The floated iridium sublate is collected in n-butyl acetate without contamination by the unfloated rhodium. Data are presented also for the separation and recovery of the Ir(IV) and Rh(III) with the above surfactants, hexadecyltrimethyl-ammonium bromide (HTMAB) and hexadecyltriethylammonium bromide (HTEAB) from solutions of various sodium chloride and hydrochloric acid concentrations. The use of solvent sublation for recovering the floated iridium is examined. The separation is fast, practical, simple and does not require expensive reagents or apparatus. For these reasons, the separation of iridium and rhodium by ion flotation offers advantages over previous methods.     

Four-component relativistic calculations of NMR shielding constants of the transition metal complexes. Part 1: Pentaammines of cobalt,rhodium, and iridium

The nonrelativistic and four-component fully relativistic calculations of ¹H, ¹⁵N, ⁵⁹Co, ¹⁰³Rh, and ¹⁹³Ir shielding constants of pentaammineaquacomplexes of cobalt(III), rhodium(III), and iridium(III) were carried out at the density functional theory (DFT) level of theory. The noticeable deshielding relativistic corrections were observed for nitrogen shielding constants (chemical shifts), whereas those corrections were found to be negligible for protons. For the transition metals cobalt, rhodium, and iridium, relativistic corrections to their nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shielding constants were found to be rather small for cobalt and rhodium (some 5–10%), whereas they are essentially larger for iridium (up to 70%).     

Polyurethane foam for the extraction of rhodium and its separation from iridium

The rate of reaction of rhodium with thiocyanate at 90 degrees in the presence of lithium chloride or sufficient hydrochloric acid and the subsequent extraction of the metal from hydrochloric acid medium by polyether-type polyurethane foam was investigated. The effect of the chloride salts of different cations decreased in the order Li(+) > Na(+) > K(+) indicating that Rh(SCN)(6)(3-) is extracted through a simple solvent-extraction mechanism rather than the "cation-chelation" mechanism. The separation of rhodium and iridium was also examined and the results indicated that in the presence of 5-fold excess of iridium, an average of 95 +/- 2% iridium remained in the aqueous phase while an average of 93 +/- 2% rhodium was retained by the foam.     

Ion flotation of rhodium(III) and palladium(II) with anionic surfactants

The ion flotation of rhodium(III) and palladium(II) with some anionic surfactants has been investigated. Two flotation procedures are proposed for the separation of some platinum metals, based on differences in the kinetic properties of the chloro-complexes of rhodium(III), palladium(II) and platinum(IV). The first involves the selective flotation of Rh(H(2)O)(3+)(6) from PdCl(2-)(4) and PtCl(2-)(6) in dilute hydrochloric acid with sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS). After precipitation of the hydroxide and redissolution in dilute acid, the Rh(III) is converted into Rh(H(2)O)(3+)(6), Pd(II) and Pt(IV) remaining as PdCl(2-)(4) and PtCl(2-)(6) respectively, and separation is achieved by floating the Rh(H(2)O)(3+)(6) with SDBS. The second is for separation of Pd(II). Prior to flotation, the solution of PdCl(2-)(4) and PtCl(2-)(6) is heated with ammonium acetate to convert PdCl(2-)(4) into Pd(NH(3))(2+)(4). The chloro-complex of Pt(IV) is unaffected. The complex cation, Pd(NH(3))(2+)(4), is then selectively floated with SDBS. The procedures are fast, simple and do not require expensive reagents and apparatus.     

A new solvent extraction scheme for the separation of platinum,palladium, rhodium and iridium

A new scheme is proposed for the separation of platinum, palladium, rhodium and iridium in hydrochloric acid solutions, by solvent extraction. Platinum and palladium are complexed with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and potassium iodide and simultaneously extracted into chloroform, thus separating them from rhodium and iridium. Palladium is separated from platinum by extracting its dimethylglyoxime complex into chloroform, while rhodium is separated from iridium by extracting its 2-mercaptobenzothiazole complex into chloroform after reduction with tin(II) chloride.     

Studies on optimization of conditions for separating rhodium and platinum by cation-exchange

It has been established that, owing to the amphoteric properties of rhodium(III) hydroxide, by making a rhodium chloride solution alkaline (pH approximately 13) with sodium hydroxide and then acidifying to pH 2 with nitric acid it is possible to convert at least 99% of the rhodium into cationic forms. This fact is utilized for separation of rhodium(III) and platinum(IV) from chloride solutions on a sulphonic acid cation-exchanger in hydrogen form. Loss of rhodium in the separation process is < 1%. Platinum elution is complete. This method is suitable for separation of mixtures of rhodium and platinum (present in molar ratio between 1:200 and 20:1).     

Solvent extraction of rhodium,ruthenium, and iridium with HDEHP

Solvent extraction of rhodium, ruthenium, and iridium with HDEHP from thioureachloride media was investigated. Under the conditions ([Cl^–]=0.50 M, [HDEHP]=1.0M, [SC(NH₂)₂]=0.50M, pH=4.50, phase contact time 1 min), Rh(III) is extracted 88.3%, Ru(III) and Ir(III) 40.8% and 28.5% respectively at phase ratio 11. The formation of rhodium-thiourea complexes in aqueous solutions, even at 5M chloride concentration, with the possible composition Rh[SC (NH₂)₂]₆ ³⁺ is confirmed by the observed molar ratio of thiourea to rhodium and UV-spectra.     

Separation of trace amounts of rhodium(III) with tri-n-butyl phosphate from nitric acid and sodium trichloroacetate media

A new method for the quantitative extraction and separation of trace amounts of rhodium from nitric acid and sodium trichloroacetate media has been established based on the formation of an ion-association complex of hexahydrated rhodium cation Rh(H₂O)₆ ³⁺ and the trichloroacetate (TCA) anion in tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP). The effect of various factors (solvent, pH, sodium trichloroacetate, shaking time, phase volume ratio, composition of the extracted species, foreign ions, transformation of rhodium chlorocomplexes into hexahydrated cation, etc.) on the extraction and back-extraction of rhodium has been investigated. The method can be combined with subsequent FAAS determination of rhodium. The procedure was applied to determine rhodium traces in chloroplatinic acid and palladium chloride. Received: 17 March 2000 / Revised: 15 May 2000 / Accepted: 19 May 2000     

Nature of Contamination and Preparation of Pure Precipitates of Rh(III) and Ir(III) Ammonium Sodium Hexanitrites

Various spectroscopic methods and X-ray phase analysis were applied to study the distribution of copper(II) and lead(II) between the solution and the precipitate of (NH₄)₂Na[Rh(NO₂)₆]. Promising methods are proposed for fine purification of ammonium sodium hexanitrites of rhodium(III) and iridium(III) to remove contaminants, irrespective of the mechanism of their ingress into crystalline phases.     

Differential catalytic determination of iridium(IV) and rhodium(III) based on the oxidation of N-methyldiphenylamine-4-sulfonic acid

The kinetics of the oxidation of N-methyldiphenylamine-4-sulfonic acid with periodate ions was studied in weakly acidic solutions in the presence of iridium(IV), rhodium(III), and their mixtures. Oxidation rate constants were determined in the presence of individual catalysts and their mixtures. The synergetic effect of iridium(IV) and rhodium(III) on the rate of the indicator reaction was estimated; the range of catalyst ratios for the simultaneous determination of analytes was determined. The effect of some factors (oxidant nature and concentration, temperature, the ionic strength of solution, and interfering ions) on the rate of the indicator reaction in the presence of iridium(IV) and rhodium(III) mixtures was assessed. A procedure for the differential catalytic determination of iridium(IV) and rhodium(III) was proposed and tested in the analysis of artificial mixtures and a platinum concentrate of complex composition (KP-5).     

Aqueous rhodium(III) hydrides and mononuclear rhodium(II) complexes

In aqueous solutions, as in organic solvents, rhodium hydrides display the chemistry of one of the three limiting forms, i.e. {Rh(I)+ H+}, {Rh(II)+ H.}, and {Rh(III)+ H-}. A number of intermediates and oxidation states have been generated and explored in kinetic and mechanistic studies. Monomeric macrocyclic rhodium(II) complexes, such as L(H2O)Rh2+ (L = L1 = [14]aneN4, or L2 = meso-Me6[14]aneN4) can be generated from the hydride precursors by photochemical means or in reactions with hydrogen atom abstracting agents. These rhodium(II) complexes are oxidized rapidly with alkyl hydroperoxides to give alkylrhodium(III) complexes. Reactions of Rh(II) with organic and inorganic radicals and with molecular oxygen are fast and produce long-lived intermediates, such as alkyl, superoxo and hydroperoxo complexes, all of which display rich and complex chemistry of their own. In alkaline solutions of rhodium hydrides, the existence of Rh(I) complexes is implied by rapid hydrogen exchange between the hydride and solvent water. The acidity of the hydrides is too low, however, to allow the build-up of observable quantities of Rh(I). Deuterium kinetic isotope effects for hydride transfer to a macrocyclic Cr(v) complex are comparable to those for hydrogen atom transfer to various substrates.     

Separation of rhodium and iridium by multiple fractional extraction

Mixtures of the chloro complexes of rhodium(III) and iridium(IV) were resolved by a nine stage multiple extraction technique. The solutes are partitioned in a hydrochloric acid-tributyl phosphate system. Rhodium is concentrated in the raffinate while iridium is concentrated in the extractant. 99% of the rhodium and 94% of the iridium are recovered free of the other metal. Experimental results agree reasonably well with the results predicted by a theoretical treatment of the distribution data.     

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of rhodium and iridium complexes of the chelating bis-sulfoxide tBuSOC2H4SOtBu. Selective O-H activation of 2-hydroxy-isopropyl-pyridine

The chloro-bridged rhodium and iridium complexes [M2(BTSE)2Cl2] (M = Rh 1, Ir 2) bearing the chelating bis-sulfoxide tBuSOC2H4SOtBu (BTSE) were prepared by the reaction of [M2(COE)4Cl2] (M = Rh, Ir; COE = cyclooctene) with an excess of a racemic mixture of the ligand. The cationic compounds [M(BTSE)2][PF6] (M = Rh 3, Ir 4), bearing one S- and one O-bonded sulfoxide, were also obtained in good yields. The chloro-bridges in 2 can be cleaved with 2-methyl-6-pyridinemethanol and 2-aminomethyl pyridine, resulting in the iridium(I) complexes [Ir(BTSE)(Py)(Cl)] (Py = 2-methyl-6-pyridinemethanol 5, 2-aminomethyl-pyridine 6). In case of the bulky 2-hydroxy- isopropyl-pyridine, selective OH oxidative addition took place, forming the Ir(III)-hydride [Ir(BTSE)(2-isopropoxy-pyridine)(H)(Cl)] 7, with no competition from the six properly oriented C-H bonds. The cationic rhodium(I) and iridium(I) compounds [M(BTSE)(2-aminomethyl-pyridine)][X] (M = Rh 8, Ir 10), [Rh(BTSE)(2-hydroxy- isopropyl-pyridine)][X] 9(stabilized by intramolecular hydrogen bonding), [Ir(BTSE)(pyridine)2][PF6] 12, [Ir(BTSE)(alpha-picoline)2][PF6] 13, and [Rh(BTSE)(1,10-phenanthroline)][PF6] 14 were prepared either by chloride abstraction from the dimeric precursors or by replacement of the labile oxygen bonded sulfoxide in 3 or 4. Complex 14 exhibits a dimeric structure in the solid state by pi-pi stacking of the phenanthroline ligands.     

Synthesis and structure of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of rhodium and iridium derived from an imidazolium-linked cyclophane

This paper describes the synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterisation, and electrochemical behaviour of some rhodium and iridium complexes of the form LM(X₁)(X₂)⁺, where L is a chelating bis(carbene) derived from an imidazolium-linked ortho-cyclophane. The complexes where X₁/X₂ = 1,5-cycooctadiene or norbornadiene were prepared from the imidazolium-linked cyclophane and the appropriate metal source. In these complexes, the M-L bonding was quite robust, but the diene could be displaced by CO to give the dicarbonyl complexes , from which one or both carbonyl ligands could be displaced by monodentate or bidentate phosphines, respectively. Structural studies revealed only minor variations in the cyclophane unit upon exchange of the ancillary ligands, in each case the rhodium complex being isomorphous with its iridium analogue. In cyclovoltammetric studies of LRh(dppe)⁺, reversible Rh(I/II) and Rh(II/III) redox couples were observed. The other rhodium complexes displayed more complex electrochemical behaviours and did not undergo simple reversible redox reactions.     

Highly selective determination of rhodium(III) using silica gel surface-imprinted solid-phase extraction

A novel Rh(III)-imprinted amino-functionalised silica gel sorbent was prepared by a surface imprinting technique for preconcentration and separation of Rh(III) prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). Compared with the traditional solid sorbents and non-imprinted polymer particles, the ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) had higher adsorption capacity and selectivity for Rh(III). The maximum static adsorption capacity of the imprinted and non-imprinted sorbent for Rh(III) was 29.86?mg?g^?1 and 11.23?mg?g^?1, respectively. The imprinted Rh(III) was removed with 2?mL of 3% thiourea?+?2?mol?L^?1 HCl. The obtained imprinted particles exhibited excellent selectivity and rapid kinetics process for Rh(III). The relatively selective factor (α_r) values of Rh(III)/Ru(III), Rh(III)/Au(III), Rh(III)/Pt(IV), Rh(III)/Ir(IV), Rh(III)/Pd(II) were 26.7, 39.0 29.2, 28.1, 43.7, respectively, which were greater than 1. The detection limit (3σ) of the method was 0.26?µg?L^?1. The relative standard deviation of the method was 1.79% for eight replicate determination of 10?µg of Rh³⁺ in 200?mL water sample. The method was validated by analysing standard reference material (GBW 07293), the results obtained is in good agreement with standard values. The developed method was also successfully applied to the determination of trace rhodium(III) in geological samples with satisfactory results.     

Solvent extraction separation of rhodium(III) with N-n-octylaniline as an extractant

Solvent extraction separation method for the determination of rhodium(III) has been described. Selective and quantitative extraction of rhodium(III) by N-n-octylaniline, a high molecular weight amine (HMWA) into xylene takes place from aqueous sodium malonate medium. The effect of concentration of malonate, N-n-octylaniline, role of various diluents, stripping agents and foreign ions on the extraction of rhodium(III) has been studied. The procedure offers distinct improvements in need of real sample analysis and environmental safety as the extraction procedure carried out in weak organic acid media.     

Extractive spectrophotometric determination of platinum, rhodium and iridium

Platinum, iridium and rhodium in mixtures are determined sequentially, with rubeanic acid, tin(II) chloride and tin(II) iodide respectively. The working ranges (in microg) are: Pt 7-100, Rh 7-70, Ir 7-30.     

Purine-based carbenes at rhodium and iridium

Purine-based carbenes can be attached to catalysis-related metals like rhodium and iridium through the standard method of in situ deprotonation of the respective azolium salts. Thus, 1,3,7,9-tetramethylxanthinium tetrafluoroborate is obtained by the reaction of trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate and caffeine. The salt and 7,9-dimethylhypoxanthinium iodide were used as a consecutive precursor to form rhodium (I) and iridium (I) carbene complexes of the type [M(L)(L_Carbene)₂]I and M(L)(L_Carbene)(I) (M = Rh, Ir, L_Carbene = 1,3,7,9-tetramethylxanthine-8-ylidene, 7,9-dimethylhypoxanthine-8-ylidene, L = η⁴-1,5-COD, CO) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene). All compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, mass spectrometry and/or elemental analysis.     

The passivation phenomenon of rhodium in fused lithium chloride + potassium chloride eutectic

The passivation phenomenon of rhodium was investigated in fused lithium chloride + potassium chloride eutectic by means of the potential sweep method. The current-potential curve obtained showed a typical N-shaped negative impedance. An anodic current rise was observed at +0.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl (0.1). The current was controlled by mass transfer and was ascribed to the dissolution of rhodium into rhodium(III) ions. The observed Flade potential was +0.45 V at 400°C. The passivation was found to occur due to the precipitation of supersaturated Rh(III) chloride onto the electrode surface. The residual current for the passivation was fairly high and the current increased significantly as the temperature was made higher. The dissolution current of rhodium into Rh(III) ions decreased with increase in the concentration of oxide ions. The fact revealed that the rhodium was passivated preferentially due to the formation of Rh(III) oxide. The residual current of the oxide passivation film was low enough. The thickness of the film corresponded to 10–20 atomic layers of the parent metal. Rhodium showed another anomalous passivation due to the formation of oxide. The oxide was formed at ?0.3 V and was reduced at ?0.6 V. It was considered to be a low valence rhodium oxide, RhO or Rh₂O. Rhodium was found to have a low chlorine overpotential. However, it was redissolved at the chlorine evolution region, above +1.25 V. The dissolution was not prevented even in the oxide ion containing melts.     

(Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)(polypyridyl) rhodium and iridium complexes as electrocatalysts for the reduction of protons to dihydrogen and the hydrogenation of organics

The ability of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M^III(L)Cl]⁺ complexes (M = Rh and Ir. L = 2,2′-bipyridine and 1, 10-phenanthroline) to act as electrocatalysts for the hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates has been examined in homogeneous acetonitrile solution, using formic acid as a proton source, as well as in aqueous electrolytes with electrodes modified by oxidative electropolymerization of pyrrole-substituted Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes. The hydrogenation process involves the formation of an electrogenerated hydrido complex, followed by the insertion of the substrate in the metal-hydride bond. It appears that rhodium complexes are better catalysts than the iridium ones, and that their immobilization onto an electrode surface decreases their catalytic activity.