Comparative substoichiometric extraction of cadmium with potassium salts of ethyl,propyl, butyl,pentyl and benzyl xanthates

A comparative study of the extractability of cadmium with potassium salts of ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl and benzyl xanthates into chloroform and a mixture of 14 pyridine and ethyl acetate from pH 1–7 buffers and sodium formate media, respectively, has been carried out employing an accurate and highly sensitive substoichiometric radiochemical method. The effect of foreign ions on the extractability was studied. The method developed was utilized for the determination of cadmium content in standard as well as in geological water samples.