Solvent extraction of rare-earth metals with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphinic acid

 The extraction behavior of tervalent rare-earth metals (Ln) using a heptane solution containing bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphinic acid (PIA-8, HR) from 0.1 mol/dm³ sodium perchlorate media was studied. The pH_0.5 values and separation factors obtained were compared among the metals. The stoichiometry of the extracted species and the extraction constants for the present aqueous/heptane system were determined by slope analysis. It is demonstrated that the rare-earth metals were extracted as monomers LnR₃⋅mHR (m=3, 4, 5 or 6), and the extracted species could be stripped into a relatively low concentrated hydrochloric acid. PIA-8 was found to be the most selective extractant for the mutual separation of rare-earth metals among the other phosphinic acids reported. Received: 27 February 1996/Revised: 13 May 1996/Accepted: 21 May 1996