Liquid-liquid extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) by LIX 622

The order of extraction of Mo(VI) from 1M acid solutions by 5% (v/v) LIX 622 (HL) in benzene is HCl>HNO₃>HClO₄>H₂SO₄, and extraction decreases with increasing concentration of HCl and H₂SO₄, and increases slightly with increasing concentration of HNO₃ and HClO₄. The extracted species is shown to be MoO₂L₂ as established by IR data of organic extracts and the extracted species in the solid form. Extraction is almost quantitative at and above 10% LIX 622, and is found to be independent of Mo(VI)] in the range of 10^–4 to 10^–3 M. The diluents CCl₄, CHCl₃ and C₆H₆ are found to be superior to solvents of high dielectric constant for extraction of Mo(VI). Extraction of uranium(VI) by 10% (v/v) LIX 622 in benzene was found to increase with increasing equilibrium pH (3.0 to 6.0), and becomes quantitative at pH 5.9. Tributyl phosphate acts as a modifier up to 2% (v/v). Thorium(IV) is almost not extracted by LIX 622 or its mixture. Separation of Mo(VI) and U(VI) is feasible.