Solvent extraction of certain rare earth metal ions with 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN)

The solvent extraction of Yb(III) by 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (PAN or HL) in carbon tetrachloride from aqueous—ethanol phase has been investigated as a function of thepH ^X of the polar phase and the concentrations ofPAN or ethanol (EtOH) in the organic phase. It was confirmed that the addition of ethanol to the aqueous phase causes an increase of the Yb(III) distribution coefficient. The equation for the extraction reaction has been suggested as: $$Yb(H_2 O)_{m(^p )}^{3 + } + 3H L_{(o)} + t Et OH_{(o)} \rightleftharpoons Yb L_3 \left( {EtOH} \right)_{t(o)} + 3H_{(^p )}^ + + mH_2 O$$ wheret changes from 0 to 3. The extraction equilibrium constant (K _ex ) and two-phase stability constants (β ₃ ^× ) for the YbL ₃ (EtOH)₃ complex have been evaluated. The formation of solvates YbL ₃ (EtOH) _t is probably the main reason of the synergistic effect which was observed.