Synergism in the extraction of cadmium

Abstract

Synergism in the extraction of cadmium by mixtures of BFA and TOPO or TBP has been investigated. Extraction of cadmium was found negligible in the presence of BFA, TOPO or TBP alone while the addition of alkylphosphorus ester to the β-diketone resulted in considerable enhancement of the extraction. The nature of the adduct was found to be of the type [Gd (BFA)₂ (TOPO)₂] and the equilibrium constant for the reaction was also evaluated. Similar results were observed in the case of TBP, while DPSO did not enhance the extraction, indicating the donor strengths of the synergists to be in the order TOPO > TBP > DPSO. The coordination of alkylphosphate to the metal ion was confirmed by infrared spectra of the complexes in benzene.