Solvent extraction of gallium(III) as the monothiodibenzoylmethane complex

Gallium(III) can be quantitatively extracted at trace levels with monothiodibenzoylmethane in benzene at pH 5.0. It is then determined spectrophotometrically as its Rhodamine B complex in the organic phase, at 570 nm. The system conforms to Beer's law at 570 nm, in the range 1.4-26 mug of gallium. The absorbance is stable for 24 hr. Gallium can be extracted and determined in the presence of several elements with which it is generally associated in minerals and other products.