Spectroscopic studies of the behaviour of the AgNO3?HNO3 — Tetrabutyl dithiopyrophosphate extraction system

A very efficient extraction of silver with tetrabutyl dithiopyrophosphate (TBDTPP) is followed by dramatic changes in the structure of the extractant molecule. The IR and NMR spectroscopic studies have revealed that in the presence of Ag⁺ and NO ₃ ^– ions the TBDTPP molecule rearranges first into a molecule containing a P–S–P bridge and one P=O group instead of P–O–P and P=S, respectively, and then into a molecule containing two P–S–C and two P=O groups at a P–O–P bridge.