LIQUID–LIQUID EXTRACTION OF BERYLLIUM: I. A STUDY OF FACTORS AFFECTING EXTRACTION

Abstract

A consideration of factors known to govern the formation of coordination compounds with metal ions led to the conclusion that the best ligands to use in attempting to separate beryllium from other metal ions of inert gas configuration by liquid–liquid extraction would be easily polarizable, monofunctional ligands. It is suggested that the thiocyanate ion, as ammonium thiocyanate, is particularly promising for metallurgical application.The organic solvent was shown to play an active role in the extraction, ketone or hydroxy groups on chains containing six to eight carbons giving good extraction with low solvent loss.