Extractions with long-chain amines-I Extraction of some metal-xylenol orange complexes into methyltrioctylammonium chloride (aliquat 336-S)

The extraction of traces of metals forming intensely coloured complexes with Xylenol Orange in acidic medium (pH 0-3) has been studied. For such extractions in the presence of sulphates, chlorides and nitrates, a solution of methyltrioctylammonium chloride (Aliquat 336-S) in chloroform has been used. It is shown that it is possible to detect small amounts of gallium in indium and vice versa, and titanium or zirconium in thorium. These reactions should be capable of adaption to spectrophotometric determinations. The principle of the extraction of metals as their complexes with various metallochrornic indicators is briefly discussed.