Solvent extraction of gallium(III) with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone

Gallium can be quantitatively extracted at trace levels with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone in xylene at pH 4.5-6.0. Gallium is determined in the organic phase photometrically by complexation with Rhodamine B. The system conforms to Beer's law (at 565 nm) in the concentration range 2-59 mug ml . The complex is stable for 24 hr. Salting-out agents have no effect on the extraction. Gallium can be extracted and determined in a single extraction in presence of many elements associated with it, such as indium, thallium and aluminium.