Niobium,tantalum, and titanium fluoride solutions

Parameters for the preparation of concentrated tantalum, niobium, and titanium fluoride solutions by dissolution of their oxides or hydroxides in hydrofluoric acid were studied. Anatase titania, niobium oxide, and tantalum oxide calcined to 900°C were found to have high dissolution rates. Solid phases separated upon the dissolution of niobium, tantalum, and titanium oxides in hydrofluoric acid were identified as NbO₂F, TaO₂F, Ta₃O₇F, and TiOF₂. Niobium hydroxide dissolution in an autoclave at the atmospheric pressure gave various complex salts: NH₄NbOF₄ and (NH₄)₃Nb₂OF₁₁.     

Gravimetric analysis of tantalocolumbites by precipitation from homogeneous solution

An analysis of complex tantalocolumbites has been carried out by precipitation from homogeneous solutions. A homogeneous precipitation of tungsten, titanium, tantalum and niobium by thermal decomposition of the soluble peroxytungstates, described in previous papers, is used. Corrections for incomplete precipitation and coprecipitation phenomena are applied on the basis of the experimentally found values. Silicon and tin are separated by volatilisation as fluoride and iodide, respectively. Iron is extracted by means of isopropyl ether and the rare earth metals are precipitated homogeneously from an oxalate solution. Manganese is precipitated as the ammonium phosphate. The results are in good agreement with an independent method, the standard deviations being within 1 % for the major constituents.     

Extractive Recovery of Tantalum(V) and Niobium(V) with Octanol from Hydrofluoric Acid Solutions Containing Large Amounts of Titanium(IV)

Extractive recovery with n-octanol of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) from hydrofluoric acid solutions containing large amounts of titanium (up to 2-3 M) was studied. The conditions were found for separation of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) from titanium(IV), allowing recovery of 95.7 and 84.1% of tantalum and niobium fluoride complexes, respectively, in one extraction cycle, with 2.6% recovery of titanium.     

Separation and gravimetric determination of niobium,tantalum and titanium by precipitation with n-benzoyl-n-phenylhydroxylamine

A method is described for the separation and gravimetric determination of niobium, tantalum and titanium by precipitation with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine. Titanium is kept in solution with EDTA and hydrogen peroxide, and the earth acids are precipitated in 1N sulphuric acid Niobium and tantalum are separated and determined by a modification of the method of MAJUMDAR AND MUKHERJEE. All three metals are finally precipitated with N-benzoyl-N-phenyl-hydroxylamine. In the analysis of complex materials niobium, tantalum and titanium are separated from other constituents by a double precipitation with N-benzoyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine in the presence of EDTA and tartaric acid     

Decrease of HF Concentration in Process Solutions before Extractive Separation of Tantalum(V) from Niobium(V)

To improve separation of tantalum(V) from niobium(V) in their extraction from fluoride solutions, different ways for decreasing the fluoride ion concentration in the aqueous phase were tested. The efficiency of decomposition of rare-metal concentrate in continuous countercurrent process with several equilibrium decomposition stages was studied.     

Extraction of Tantalum(V) Impurities from Niobium(V) Fluoride Solutions with Octanol

Fine purification of niobium(V) to remove tantalum(V) by extraction was studied at various compositions of solutions and ratios of phase volumes. Washing of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) extracts with aqueous solutions of their fluorides was considered.     

Complexometric determination of aluminium in iron ore,sinter, concentrates and agglomerates

A method for the complexometric determination of aluminium in iron ore, sinter, concentrates and agglomerates encountered in international trade is described. The sample is fused in a zirconium crucible with a mixed flux of sodium carbonate and sodium peroxide. The fused mass is completely soluble in hydrochloric acid. The R₂O₃ oxides are then precipitated with ammonia and redissolved in hydrochloric acid. Elements such as iron, titanium and zirconium are separated from aluminium by solvent extraction with cupferron and chloroform. After removal of traces of organic matter from the aqueous phase, the solution is treated with an excess of EDTA, which is then back-titrated with zinc solution (Xylenol Orange as indicator). Addition of ammonium fluoride then releases EDTA equivalent to the aluminium and this is titrated with zinc solution. The method is rapid. The precision and accuracy are excellent, and the results comparable with those obtained by the referee method.     

Differential scanning calorimetry study of complex fluorides of titanium,niobium and tantalum

The enthalpy and temperature of the sublimation of nitrosyl fluoride or nitryl fluoride—titanium, niobium and tantalum fluoride adducts were determined from DSC measurements. A closed-cell DSC technique was employed to determine the enthalpies and temperatures and to study the dissociation reactions of some of these adducts.     

Colorimetric determination of tantalum in titanium alloys

Experimental work on tantalum-titanium alloys has been handicapped by the lack of accurate methods for the determination of the tantalum. In this paper a colorimetric procedure is proposed for the determination. The tantalum is separated completely from the titanium by two tannin precipitations with an intervening digestion with tannin. The tannin precipitate is ignited, fused with potassium bisulfate and the melt taken up with ammonium oxalate solution. Pyrogallol is then added and the intensity of the yellow color is measured. A study was made of the tantalum pyrogallol color to obtain optimum conditions. Elements that would be found in the usual tantalum-titanium alloys do not interfere with the method. More than 0.0025 gram of niobium interferes by cauaing occlusion of titanium by the tannin precipitate. This causes high results for tantalum, since titanium reacts with pyrogallol to produce a yellow color. The presence of more than 0.0050 gram of tungsten causes high results for tantalum because tungsten is partially precipitated by the tannin and reacts with pyrogallol to produce a yellow color. The proposed method is recommended for tantalum-titanium alloys containing 0.05 to 5 percent, tantalum.     

N-acetylsalicyloyl-N-phenylhydroxylamine as an analytical reagent Determination of niobium and tantalum in the presence of each other

N-Acetylsalicyloyl-N-phenylhydroxylamme is proposed for the separation of niobium(V) and tantalum(V) and their gravimetric determination. Niobium is precipitated at pH 5.5-6.5 by the reagent and the complex is weighed directly. Tantalum is precipitated from 1-2M hydrochloric acid solutions and the complex is ignited to tantalum pentoxide. The method is fairly selective. In the presence of thiocyanate the reagent forms an extractable complex with niobium. The reaction forms the basis of a selective and sensitive spectrophotometric determination of niobium.     

The determination of zirconium in fluoride-containing solutions

In the recommended procedure the zirconium is first precipitated from solution as the insoluble barium fluozirconate. After separation, the precipitate is dissolved in a mixture of nitric and boric acids and the zirconium is then precipitated as its hydroxide. This precipitate is separated, dissolved in hydrochloric acid and this solution is evaporated to fumes of perchloric acid to remove completely fluoride ions. The zirconium content is then determined volumetrically by adding a slight excess of a standard solution of ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid and back titrating with a standard iron solution at pH 2.3 using potassium benzohydroxamate as indicator and the photometric technique for end-point detection. This method is applicable to the determination of milligram amounts of zirconium in fluoride-containing nitric or hydrochloric acid solutions provided that the concentration of these acids is below 3N. It is also suitable for the determination of zirconium in the presence of any of the following elements - uranium, titanium, niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, lead, iron, copper and tin.     

Interaction of loparite concentrate with ammonium hydrodifluoride

Results obtained in a study of the interaction between the loparite concentrate and ammonium hydrodifluoride are reported. It was found that the reactions of the main components of the concentrate with NH₄HF₂ yield complex ammonium fluorometallates. It was shown that water leaching of the fluorinated product makes it possible to transfer niobium and tantalum into solution together with fluoroammonium salts of titanium and silicon and to concentrate rare-earth elements in the insoluble residue in the form of complex salts of general formula NaLnF₄.     

Colorimetric determination of niobium in titanium alloys

There is need for a method for the determination of niobium in titanium alloys, since niobium-titanium alloys are becoming increasingly important. The determination of niobium in this type of alloy is an extremely difficult matter. Many approaches were tried before the problem was solved. In the method proposed in this paper the sample is dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids, the solution evaporated to a small volume, and boric acid added. Two tannic acid separations are then made to separate the niobium from the bulk of the titanium. The niobium, is determined colorimetrically by the thiocyanate method using a water-acetone medium. A study was made of the possible interference of elements that might be present in titanium alloys. It was found that the presence of tantalum causes two opposing tendencies. Tantalum can cause high results for niobium because it forms a complex with thiocyanate which is visually colorless but shows some absorption. Tantalum can cause low results for niobium by hindering the development of the niobium color. The resultant effect of the tantalum depends upon the amount of tantalum present, the amount of niobium present and the ratio of tantalum to niobium. The presence of more than one per cent. tungsten can lead to high results for niobium. Other elements that might be present in titanium alloys do not interfere with the method. The procedure is designed for titanium alloys containing 0.05 to 10 per cent. niobium. The method is reasonably rapid. Six determinations can be finished in two days. The method should be applicable to many other materials besides titanium alloys.     

Solvent extraction and separation of zirconium,niobium and tantalum by 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone

Summary Extraction of zirconium, niobium and tantalum from oxalic and hydrofluoric acid solutions, by 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone (HA) dissolved in chloroform was studied. Extraction mechanism for the extraction of zirconium from oxalate solutions and of niobium from fluoride solutions is proposed. Separation of zirconium and niobium from oxalate solution as well as from fluoride solution and tantalum and niobium from fluoride solution is described. Back-extraction of these metals is possible by hydrofluoric and oxalic acid. Results obtained show that the efficiency of extraction by HA decreases in the sequence tantalum > niobium > zirconium.

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Zusammenfassung Die Extraktion von Zirkonium, Niob und Tantal aus oxalsauren und fluorwasserstoffsauren Lösungen mit Hilfe einer chloroformischen Lösung von 2-Carbäthoxy-5-hydroxy-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridon wurde untersucht. Ein Extraktionsmechanismus für Zirkonium aus Oxalatlösungen und für Niob aus Fluoridlösungen wurde vorgeschlagen. Die Trennung von Zirkonium und Niob aus einer Oxalatlösung oder aus einer Fluoridlösung sowie von Tantal und Niob aus einer Fluoridlösung wurde beschrieben. Die Rückextraktion dieser Metalle mit Flußsäure und Oxalsäure ist möglich. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die Effizienz der Extraktion in der Reihenfolge Tantal > Niob > Zirkonium abfällt.

     

Extraction Recovery of Tantalum(V) and Niobium(V) from Hydrofluoric and Hydrofluoric-Sulfuric Acid Aqueous Solutions with Octanol

Comparative study of extraction of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) with octanol and tributyl phosphate was made. The data on distribution of tantalum(V) and niobium(V) between octanol and hydrofluoric and hydrofluoric-sulfuric acid aqueous solutions were obtained. The flowsheet for preparation of pure tantalum and niobium oxides was developed.     

Extraction of molybdenum(VI) from fluoride niobium-tantalum solutions with a high content of titanium(IV)

Distribution of molybdenum(VI) (0.05 M) upon extraction with tributyl phosphate from fl uoride solutions with a content of titanium(IV), niobium(V), and tantalum(V) of up to 3.0, 0.7, and 0.7 M, respectively, was studied.     

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%.     

The determination of zirconium in its binary alloys with niobium and tantalum

A procedure is presented for the determination of zirconium in the presence of niobium or tantalum. The bulk of the niobium or tantalum is first removed by extracting with hexone from a 10M hyclrofluoric acid, 6M sulphuric acid solution of the sample. The zirconium is then. separated from any unextractcd earth, acid element by precipitation with ammonium hydroxide followed by the addition of hydrogen peroxide. Under these conditions, both the niobium and tantalum form soluble peroxy complexes whereas the zirconium is completely precipitated from solution. After the separation of the precipitate by filtration, it is re-dissolved in hydrochloric acid and the zirconium concentration is finally determined by titration with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.     

Extraction of antimony and tantalum from aqueous fluoride solutions by n-octanol and tributyl phosphate

¹⁹F and ²¹Sb NMR spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to study the composition and structure of fluoride complexes of antimony(V) and tantalum(V) in organic and aqueous phases in extraction by tributyl phosphate (TBP) and n-octanol. It is found that extraction from solutions containing a single element or both elements occurs via the hydrate-solvate mechanism. The possibility of separating tantalum(V) and antimony(V) by extraction from fluoride solutions is shown. The efficiency of tantalum(V) and antimony(V) separation by extraction from fluoride solutions is enhanced at a transition from TBP to n-octanol.     

A niobaziridine hydride system for white phosphorus or dinitrogen activation and N- or P-atom transfer

This short review describes a breakthrough embodied by the synthesis of a niobaziridine hydride complex. This reactive entity reacts directly with white phosphorus to provide a bridging diphosphorus diniobium complex that upon reduction splits to afford a terminal niobium phosphide anion, isolated as its sodium salt. Reactions of the latter with acid chlorides constitute a new synthesis of phosphaalkynes, while treatment with chlorodiorganophosphanes leads to complexed 1,1-diorganophosphanylphosphinidene systems. Additionally, reactions of the sodium salt of the niobium phosphide anion with divalent main group element salts (E = Ge, Sn, or Pb) provide complexed triatomic EP2 triangles. Dinitrogen cleavage was realized via reduction of a heterodinuclear niobium/molybdenum dinitrogen complex, and this provided an entry to a nitrogen-15 labeled terminal nitride anion of niobium as its sodium salt. In a fashion analogous to the aforementioned phosphaalkyne synthesis, acid chlorides are transformed upon reaction with the niobium nitride anion into corresponding nitrogen-15 labeled organic nitriles. Complete synthetic cycles are achieved in both the phosphaalkyne and the organic nitrile syntheses, as the oxoniobium(v) byproduct can be recycled in high yield to the title niobaziridine hydride complex.