Component analysis of the commercial metal extractant, Cyanex 302, by GC-MS.

The composition of the commercial reagent Cyanex 302 was investigated by GC-MS. Mass spectrometric studies allowed us to confirm that bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid is the major compound and that a considerable amount of tris(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide is also present. The study also revealed that the extractant has three minor components. These were identified as bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid, bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid. The mass spectra of these compounds are discussed and some fragmentation processes are postulated.