Extraction of scandium, cerium, promethium, and europium with dibutylphosphoric, bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric, and dioctylphosphoric acids in Freon 113

Abstract

The extraction of Sc, Ce, Pm, and Eu from aqueous solutions of HClO4 and HNO3 into organic phases constituted by solutions of dialkylphosphoric acids in Freon 113 was studied. The effects of the kind of inorganic acid, concentration of hydrogen ions in the aqueous phase and concentration of the extracting agent in the organic phase were examined. Based on the dependences of the distribution ratios of the metals on the above variables, the compositions of the extractable complexes were determined and the extraction constants calculated. The dimerization constants and distribution constants of the monomer were also determined for dibutylphosphoric and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acids.