The liquid—liquid extraction of platinum in the presence of tin(II) chloride from dilute hydrochloric acid into 4-methyl-2-pentanone

The distribution of complexes of type Pt(SnCl₃)_nCl_4?n]^2? (n = 1–4) and Pt(SnCl₃)₅]^3? between 1.5–3.5 M hydrochloric acid and 4-methyl-2-pentanone is discussed in detail. Platinum can be quantitatively extracted into the organic phase from hydrochloric acid solutions containing tin(II) chloride when the mole ratio Sn²⁺: Pt²⁺ > 5. In the presence of sufficient tin(II) chloride, the Pt(SnCl₃)₅]^3? anion is the predominant species extracted into the organic phase. Similar results pertain to starting solutions of either Ptcl^2?₄ or PtCl^2?₆, although Pt⁴⁺ is rapidly reduced to Pt²⁺. Small amounts of Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ do not interfere.