N-oxides of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and trioctylamine as extractants for cerium(IV) and its separation from thorium(IV)

Trace level cerium has been oxidized to the quadrivalent state with potassium dichromate and shown to be preferentially extracted from very dilute mineral acid solutions and also from moderate nitric acid media by 0.1M solutions of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide dissolved in xylene. The dependence of extraction on the type of N-oxide, acid concentration and the N-oxide concentration has been investigated. The influence of the concentration of salting-out agents is described. Separation factors for a number of metal ions relative to cerium(IV) are reported for 0.1 M 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide/xylene-0.1M sulphuric acid system. The ratio of the D for Ce(IV) to that of Ce(III) is greater than 10⁵, and the D for Ce(IV) is much greater than that for thorium(IV). Separation of cerium(IV) from thorium has been achieved from 0.1M sulphuric acid solutions using 0.1M 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide/xylene as an extractant.     

4-(5-Nonyl)pyridine as an extractant for cobalt thiocyanate complexes from mineral acid solutions

The partition behaviour of cobalt into 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine (NPy) in benzene from aqueous hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acid media containing variable amounts of potassium thiocyanate is described. Cobalt is quantitatively extracted by NPy from 0.1–1M KSCN solutions at 0.01 M concentration of the mineral acids. The extraction mechanism and the possible compositions of the extracted species are discussed. The effects of foreign salts on the extraction of cobalt from three mineral acid solutions are reported. Several elements including those which are of some interest in connection with the separation of cobalt were tested for extraction from 0.01 M solutions of mineral acids 0.3 M with respect to KSCN and their factors for separation from cobalt were estimated.     

Investigations of the use of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine as a liquid anion exchanger for tetrachloroferrate ions in aqueous chloride media

In an attempt to gain an understanding of factors affecting the extraction of iron(III) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine, the equilibria between hydrogen chloride and benzene solutions of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine have been studied. From acid distribution data and visible absorption spectra of the organic phases, it was concluded that FeCl ₄ ⁻ ion, with a tetrahedral sp³ configuration is the principal iron containing species. The pyridine extraction of macro and trace amounts of the metal has indicated the formation of 1∶1 and 2∶1 complexes respectively. The 2∶1 complexes are assumed to result from association of a 1∶1 complex with a molecule of the pyridine hydrochloride. The salting-out effect increases in the order, LiCl<NaCl<MgCl₂<AlCl₃ and these differences in the effect have been attributed to the different degree of hydration of cations of the salts present and to the ionic radii. The effect of various anions including the reducing agents have been described. Separation factors of several metal ions relative to ferric iron, in 6M HCl, are also reported.     

Extraction of molybdenum(VI) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine in benzene from aqueous mineral acid solutions containing thiocyanate ions

Extraction of Mo(VI) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine (NPy) in benzene from mineral acid solutions containing thiocyanate ions has been investigated at room temperature (23±2°C). From mineral acid (HCl, HNO₃, and H₂SO₄) solutions alone Mo(VI) is not extracted quantitatively while the presence of small amounts of KSCN in the system augments the extraction by a large factor. Stoichiometric studies indicate that ion-pair type complexes (NPyH)₂·[MoO₂(SCN)₄] are responsible for the extraction. Separation factors determined at fixed extraction conditions (0.1M Npy/C₆H₆–0.1M acid +0.2M KSCN) reveal that Ag(I), Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and U(VI) are co-extracted while a clean separation from alkali metals, alkaline earths and some transition metals like Ln(III), Zr(IV), Hf(IV), Cr(III), Cr(VI) and Ir(III) is possible. Some of the complexing anions like oxalate, citrate, acetate, thiosulfate or ascorbate do not affect the degree of extraction of Mo(VI) allowing it to be recovered from diverse matrices.     

Solvent extraction of technetium(VII) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and its separation from uranium and some fission products

The extraction of technetium (VII) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine has been investigated from different aqueous solutions. Separation from uranium and some fission products has been achieved in nitrate media. From the results of partition experiments, attempts have been made to deduce the nature of the extracted species.     

Comparison of standards in the Karl Fischer method for water determination.

The use of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide for the extraction of niobium(V) from different mineral acid solutions is described. The influence of the concentration of the solvents, acids and salting-out agents is discussed. Separations of niobium(V) from tantalum(V) and zirconium(IV) have been achieved.     

The extraction of chromium(VI) from sulphuric acid solutions by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and its separation from fission products

4-(5-Nonyl)pyridine, a new liquid anion exchanger, has been studied for the extraction of chromium(VI) from sulphuric acid solutions. The optimal acidity is 0.1–1 M, depending on the concentration of chromium. Common anions have little effect on extraction in concentrations up to 0.1 M. Reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and thiosulphate prevent extraction at concentrations above 0.1 M. Separation of chromium(VI) from fission products was achieved.     

Investigations on the use of 4-(5-Nonyl) pyridine as an extractant for chlorocomplexes of gallium(III)

A study of the distribution of gallium(III) between hydrochloric acid solutions and 0.1M 4-(5-nonyl)-pyridine in benzene has been undertaken. Gallium can be quantitatively extracted from moderate to concentrated acid solutions and also from dilute acid solutions containing high concentrations of neutral cations of high charge density. The effects of acidity, the solvent concentration and diverse ions on the extraction have been investigated. An attempt has been made to elucidate the stoichiometry of the extracted species. The formulation of (NP_y H)⁺ GaCl ₄ ⁻ ) and (NP_y−H−NP_y)⁺ GaCl ₄ ⁻ is expected at macro and trace concentrations of the metal. The extraction coefficients of several elements have been recorded under conditions optional for the extraction of gallium; and their factors for separations are estimated.     

Extraction of trace amounts of cerium(III) by oxides of amines and its separation from cerium(IV)

The solvent extraction of cerium(III) from nitric, hydrochloric and sulphuric acid solutions by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide in xylene has been studied. The influence of the concentration of the solvents and salting-out agents is described. From the results of partition experiments attempts have been made to deduce the nature of the extracted species. The investigation shows that cerium(III) can be separated from cerium(IV) from very dilute solutions of mineral acids and also from moderate nitric acid media.     

The extraction of trace amounts of gold from different aqueous mineral acid solutions by diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane dissolved in chloroform

Diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane, a high molecular weight substituted pyridine has been examined and found to be a useful solvent extraction reagent. Its behaviour is similar to amines in that it forms salts with mineral acids. The acid ionization constant (pK_BH ⁺) determined spectrophotometrically has a value of 4.41±0.06 at 25 °C. A study of the partition behaviour of trace amounts of gold between mineral acid solutions and 0.1M diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane dissolved in chloroform indicates that the metal can be quantitatively extracted from dilute mineral acid solutions and also from concentrated hydrochloric acid media in a single extraction. Attempts have been made to gain an understanding of factors affecting the extraction of gold. Common anions have little effect on extraction in concentrations upto 1M. Separation factors of a number of metal ions relative to gold are reported for three mineral acid systems; and gold has been estimated in some synthetic samples using neutron activation technique by prior extraction with 0.1M solution of diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane dissolved in chloroform.     

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.

     

4-(5-nonyl)pyridine extraction of platinum from different aqueous solutions

The partition of tracer-level (<10^?7 mole/l) platinum between various 4-(5-nonyl)-pyridine phases and aqueous nitric, hydrochloric, and sulphuric acid phases has been studied radiometrically as a function of the amine and acid concentrations. The effects of saltingout agents and some anions on the extraction of the metal are reported. The extraction data is compared with that of gold and conditions are established for the separation of daughter¹⁹⁹Au from neutron irradiated platinum. The distribution coefficients of various metal ions are given for the 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine-10M HCl system and their factors for separation from platinum estimated.     

Separation of trace concentrations of tantalum from niobium and some other heavy metal ions by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine

The distribution of tantalum(V) between 0.1M trioctylamine oxide dissolved in xylene and sulphuric acid solutions has been studied. On the basis of results on the distribution, it is concluded that at sulphuric acid concentration 0.5M, tantalum is probably extracted by a solvate mechanism as the complex Ta(OH) (SO₄)₂·3TOAO. It has also been shown that tantalum can be quantitatively separated from niobium, uranium, thorium and rare earth elements by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine from 0.5M sulphuric acid solution.     

Studies on extraction of thorium by the N-oxides of 5-(4-pyridyl)nonane and trioctylamine from different mineral acid solutions and its separation from rare earth elements and yttrium

The N-oxides of 5-(4-pyridyl)nonane and trioctylamine have been evaluated for use in the extraction of thorium from different mineral acid solutions. The influence of the concentration of the solvents and salting-out agents has been investigated. The possible mechanism of extraction is discussed in the light of the results of extraction isotherms, loading-ratio data and log-log plots of reagent concentration vs. distribution ratio. Separation factors for a number of metal ions are reported and a method for the separation of thorium from rare earth elements and yttrium is also suggested.     

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.     

Radiochemical analysis of toxic elements in biological materials

A radiochemical method for simultaneous determination of toxic elements (Hg, Cd and Sb) in biological materials has been developed. The procedure involves the irradiation of samples with thermal neutrons and quantitative one-step separation in 0.1M 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine/benzene from 2.0M hydrochloric acid followed by gamma-ray spectrometry. The procedure is applied for the analysis and to the studies of distribution of these elements in IAEA-RMs, human serum and hair samples. Results obtained are found to be in good agreement with those reported in the literature.     

Chemical separation of cerium(III) fission nuclides from neutron irradiated uranium using N-oxides as solvents

Summary Radiochemical cerium has been separated from young fission products by extraction of uranium and fission product nuclides using tri-n-octylamine oxide and an anion exchange column for preconcentration followed by extraction of cerium(IV) with 0.25M xylene solution of 4-(5-nonyl) pyridine oxide from 0.1M nitric acid. Cerium is then back extracted by reduction with HCl-H₂O₂ mixture.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Abtrennung radioaktiven Cers werden Uran und Spaltproduktnuklide mittels Tri-n-oktylaminoxid extrahiert. Mit Hilfe einer Anionen-austauschersäule und nachfolgender Einengung des Effluenten wird angereichert, der Rückstand wird in 0,1-m Salpetersäure aufgenommen und das Cer(IV) daraus mit einer 0,25-m Lösung von 4-(5-Nonyl)pyridinoxid in Xylol extrahiert. Aus der organischen Phase wird das Cer mittels salzsaurem Wasserstoffperoxid rückextrahiert.

     

Solvation of thiocyanate complexes of tungsten(VI) by 5-(4-pyridyl) nonane from aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions

5-(4-Pyridyl)nonane has been evaluated as a solvent for trace amounts (<5·10^–5 M) of tungsten(VI) from aqueous chloride-thiocyanate solutions. Remarkable enhancements in metal extractability are observed on the addition of SCN^– to aqueous hydrochloric acid solutions. Extremal partition coefficients are obtained from 0.1 M HCl in 0.2 M KSCN. Diminutions of the metal extractability are produced by relatively high (>0.5 M) SCN^– concentrations and increased concentration of the supporting acid. Slope analysis data, under optimal parameters, indicates the most probable composition of the extractable species as WO₂(SCN)₂·2P_YN. Neutral anions do not have any significant effect on the D values. Behaviour of a number of metal ions has been checked using optimal aqueous conditions of extraction. The investigation shows that the reagent has a great potential for the preconcentration of a number of metal ions including the common toxins.     

Extraction of thiocyanate complexes of cobalt(II) by diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane in benzene from mineral acid solutions

Extraction of Co(II) by diphenyl-2-pyridylmethane (DPPM) in benzene form mineral acid solutions containing potassium thiocyanate has been studied at room temperature (23±2°C). Its extraction from mineral acids alone is rather poor. Optimal aqueous phase composition for the quantitative extraction of Co(II) by 0.1M DPPM is 0.1M acid+0.2M KSCN. Stoichiometric studies indicate that an ionic type complex, (DPPM·H)₂·Co(SCN)₄, is responsible for extraction. The metal can be back-extracted from the organic phase by aqueous acetate, citrate or oxalate solutions. Separation factors from other metals determined under optimal conditions reveal that Co(II) can be quantitatively separated from CsI), Sr(II), Cr(III), Ln(III), Zr(IV), Hf(IV), Cr(VI) and Tc(VII), Mo(VI), Zn(II), Au(III), Hg(II) and U(VI) are, however, coextracted and hence should be previously removed by other techniques or reagents.     

Extraction and preconcentration of selenium from aqueous solutions and its determination in water and hair samples by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry

Several organic solvents, including benzene, xylene, toluene, nitrobenzene, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene and high molecular-weight pyridines such as 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine, 2-hexyl-pyridine and benzylpyridine have been investigated as components of systems for the extraction and preconcentration of selenium from nitric acid solutions containing iodide. The results are discussed in terms of choice of reagents and the acid and iodide concentrations, and of several other parameters affecting the extraction. The utility of the method for separation of selenium from aqueous solution has been evaluated. The method has been used for preconcentration of trace levels of selenium from water and hair samples for determination by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry.