New Sustainable Solvent Extraction Pathways for Rare Earth Metals via Oximes Molecules

A study on the synergistic extraction of Eu(III) ions with a series of chelating ligands and determination of the process parameters is presented by employing ionic liquids and typical organic diluents. The investigations of the liquid-liquid extraction, commonly applied in the separation science of 4f and 5f-ions acidic chelating compounds, 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (HP), 4-benzoyl-3-phenyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI), and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) alone and in combination with two synergistic agents, meso-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (S2: HM-PAO) and its bis-imine precursor (S1: pre-HM-PAO), are presented. The interaction between the two extractants (acidic/neutral) in deuterochloroform was studied using 1H, 13C, and 1H-1H NOESY experiments. Several conclusions are given highlighting the role of the ionic diluent in complexation processes and selectivity with an employment of the two synergistic agents for various metal s-, p-, d-, and f-cations in the Periodic table, with almost 25 metal ions. The objective was to optimize a system for 4f-ions solvent extraction based on the new oxime molecules with β-diketone/isoxazolone/pyrazolone partnership. As detailed above, slight enhancements of extraction efficiencies were obtained either by using basic synergistic agents such as HM-PAO and/or using pre-HM-PAO. A competitive solvent extraction test of nearly 18 f-ions by various ligands (HTTA, S1, S2, and HPBI) and the two mixtures HTTA-S1 and HTTA-S2 diluted in ILs or organic diluents was also conducted in order to evaluate the switchable diluent impact. Additionally, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study the established chemical species with Cu2+ cations in the obtained organic extracts involving the two synergistic molecules.

3-Methyl-1-phenyl-4-thioacetylpyrazol-5-one

The novel compound 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-thioacetylpyrazol-5-one is obtained in excellent yield via a thionation of the corresponding oxygen analogue. The product is isolated in pure form using column chromatography and is characterised using 1D and 2D NMR experiments, ATR IR and HRMS spectra, and single-crystal XRD.

Assessment of the Equilibrium Constants of Mixed Complexes of Rare Earth Elements with Acidic (Chelating) and Organophosphorus Ligands

A survey of the experimental equilibrium constants in solution for the mixed complexes of 4f ions with acidic (chelating) and O-donor organophosphorus ligands published in the period between 1954 and 2022 is presented. These data are widely used in both analytical and solvent extraction chemistry. Important data evaluation criteria involved the specification of the essential reactions, process conditions and the correctness of techniques and calculations used, as well as appropriate equilibrium analysis of experimental data. Higher-quality data have been evaluated, compiled and presented herein, providing a synoptic view of the unifying theme in this area of research, i.e., synergism.

Thenoyltrifluoroacetone: Preferable Molecule for Solvent Extraction of Metals—Ancient Twists to New Approaches

A review of the investigations devoted to the solvent extraction processes of metal ions with a chelating ligand thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) is presented herein. It seems that this molecule has been preferred in the field for more than half a century, and that it is used very often as an extractant for almost all metals. The main objective of the present review is also to provide an overview of the synergistic solvent extraction of lanthanoids, particularly with the use of a β-diketone−neutral mixture. Based on the previous published results in the open literature, the extraction efficiency has been examined in detail and discussed further mainly in terms of the corresponding equilibrium constants among other outlined, so-important parameters. Major conclusions on the role of ligating groups of extractants towards the mechanism, an improved extraction enhancement, and selectivity are additionally provided. The fact that ionic liquids (ILs) appear to be replacing volatile diluents in the field of the liquid–liquid extraction of metals, again with the participation of this β-diketone, is not surprising. As is well known, a very efficient and simple way to determine the stoichiometry of the extracted species in the organic phase is by the simple use of the slope analysis method; however, it is sometimes difficult to perform, either because it somehow requests good solubility of the ligand or because obtained slopes are quite often far from integer values in ILs.

Treatment of cyanide-bearing wastewater by the N263-TBP synergistic extraction system

In this study, a trioctylmethylammonium chloride (N263)- tributyl phosphate (TBP)-n-octanol-sulfonated kerosene (N263-T) synergistic extraction system and an N263-n-octanol-sulfonated kerosene (N263-O) system were used to treat cyanide (CN)-bearing wastewater. The extraction saturation capacity of the two systems was measured. The influences of the initial pH and phase ratio (O/A) of the two systems on extraction were compared and analyzed. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, and slope methods were used to analyze the characteristic functional groups in the loaded organic phase, the compositions of the extracted compounds in the extraction reactions and the reaction mechanism. The results indicated that the saturated extraction capacity of the N263-T system, which was much larger than that of the N263-O system, for metal CN complex ions was 4354.31 mg/L. In addition, the N263-T system operated over a wider pH range. The extraction rates of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) ions at pH 14 were 97.4%, 99.1%, and 87.2%, respectively. There was a strong compatibilization effect of TBP on the extraction system. The extraction efficiency of the N263-T system for metal CN complex ions was higher than that of the N263-O system when O/A = 0.4. The saturated loaded N263-T and N263-O systems were stripped by 1 mol/L NaOH +2 mol/L NaSCN solution at O/A = 3. The metal ion concentration in the stripping solution could be enriched to 11996.6 and 8913.3 mg/L for the N263-T and N263-O systems, respectively. During the extraction process, the binding ratios of N263 cations to Cu(CN)₃^2-, Zn(CN)₄^2-, and Fe(CN)₆^3- were 2:1, 2:1, and 3:1, respectively. The binding ratios of TBP to Cu(CN)₃^2-, Zn(CN)₄^2-, and Fe(CN)₆^3- in wastewater were 3:1, 4:1, and 6:1, respectively. The PO group in TBP was linked to the CN group of the metal CN complex ion by hydrogen bonds using the water molecule as a bridge to form a supramolecular anion group, which entered into the organic phase and combined with the N263 cation under the action of ion association.

Acylpyrazolones possessing a heterocyclic moiety in the acyl fragment: intramolecular vs. intermolecular zwitterionic structures

A series of acylpyrazolones possessing a methylene bridged heterocyclic unit in the acyl fragment are synthesized and characterized in solution and the solid state.

Aggregation of Bifunctional Extractants Used for Uranium(VI) Separation

DEHCNPB (butyl-N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)carbamoyl-nonylphosphonate) is an amido-phosphonic acid that has remarkable properties for the separation of uranium from wet phosphoric acid. Despite previous studies, a detailed description of the DEHCNPB organic solutions at the supramolecular and molecular scales is missing. In the present work, we use classical Molecular Dynamics (MD) combined with SANS and SAXS experimental data in order to describe the aggregation of the bifunctional extractant DEHCNPB as well as the speciation of uranium(VI) in such systems. We provide a fine description of the molecular species in the organic solution and of the interactions within the aggregates formed, shedding light on solvent extraction mechanisms. Without uranium, the organic phase is highly composed of dimers and trimers H-bonded through phosphonate functions and without water molecules. With uranium, two to three extractant molecules coordinate directly the uranyl cation by their phosphonate groups. Uranyl is not fully dehydrated in this organic solution, and the amide groups of the extractants are found to form H-bonds with the water molecules bound to uranyl. These H-bond networks around the metallic cation stabilize the complexes and facilitate the extraction. These results underline the importance of considering weak interactions in the understanding of extraction processes and demonstrate how molecular simulations provide essential insights into such complex organic phase chemistry with a high number of species.

Preparation of terpyridine-functionalized paramagnetic nickel-zinc ferrite microspheres for adsorbing Pb(ii), Hg(ii), and Cd(ii) from water

A paramagnetic microsphere combining special functional groups may be one kind of the most promising methods for heavy metal adsorption, due to their specific separation capacity, selectivity and reusability. In this study, a novel terpyridine-based magnetic solid-phase adsorbent (TPY-M) is successfully constructed. The paramagnetic Ni_0.25Zn_0.75Fe₂O₄ microsphere (M) is synthesized and applied as a magnetic core, and is functionalized by terpyridine (TPY) groups. The naked magnetic core and TPY-M are characterized by vibration sample magnetism (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. Some parameters of the TPY-M samples are evaluated as potential adsorbents for heavy metal ions in various aqueous solutions. The adsorption capacities of TPY-M for Pb(ii), Hg(ii) and Cd(ii) were 64.75 mg g⁻¹, 33.94 mg g⁻¹ and 24.64 mg g⁻¹ under given conditions, respectively. In the case of Pb(ii), some influencing factors on the TPY-M adsorbent are investigated, including the pH, adsorption time, and ion concentrations. The adsorbent can be easily regenerated by HCl solution after use. The adsorbent revealed good adsorption performance in some real water samples.

A paramagnetic microsphere combining special functional groups may be one kind of the most promising methods for heavy metal adsorption, due to their specific separation capacity, selectivity and reusability.

Environmentally friendly approach to recover vanadium and tungsten from spent SCR catalyst leach liquors using Aliquat 336

This research paper deals with an environmentally friendly approach for the treatment of spent selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst. To recover vanadium (V) and tungsten (W) from spent SCR catalyst, leach liquors from hydrometallurgical processing were utilized to develop a proper methodology for extraction and possible separation of vanadium and tungsten from each other. This study investigated the solvent extraction (also called liquid–liquid extraction) of vanadium and tungsten utilizing the alkaline roasted leached solution containing approximately ∼7 g L⁻¹ of tungsten and ∼0.7 g L⁻¹ of vanadium. The commercial extractant, N-methyl-N,N,N-tri-octyl-ammonium chloride [R₃NCH₃]⁺Cl⁻ (commercial name Aliquat 336), was dissolved in Exxsol™ D80 (diluent) system and adopted in this research. Solvent extraction studies were performed to determine the following experimental parameters: equilibrium pH, extractant concentration, diluent influence, chloride ion concentration, temperature, and stripping reagent concentration, which were systematically scanned to ascertain the optimum conditions for quantitative extraction of both title metals. An anion exchange mechanism was proposed using the quaternary ammonium chloride solvent reagent after slope analysis. Excess supplement of chloride proved to have adverse effects, further supporting the extraction mechanism. Thermodynamics results show positive values for enthalpy (ΔH) for vanadium and tungsten, favoring the endothermic nature of the extraction reaction towards the uptake of either metal. McCabe–Thiele plots for extraction were constructed, suggesting 2 and 3 stages for vanadium and tungsten extraction, respectively, at the aqueous (A) to organic (O) phase ratio of 7 : 1, ensuring more than 99.9% and 7-fold enrichment of both title metals. The stripping trend follows the order: (NaOH + NaCl) > (NaOH + NaNO₃) > NaOH > NaNO₃ > NaCl. Stripping isotherm followed by stripping counter-current (CCS) study was carried out for quantitative stripping of the metals.

A complete extraction and stripping process to obtain enriched vanadium and tungsten concentrate from spent SCR catalyst leach liquor.

Speciation of lanthanide ions in the organic phase after extraction from nitrate media by basic extractants

A speciation study was carried out for lanthanide complexes formed in the organic phase after solvent extraction with quaternary ammonium and phosphonium nitrate extractants. These extractants are liquid at room temperature and were applied in their undiluted form. A comparison was made between the quaternary compound trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium nitrate, the nitrate form of the commercial extractant Cyphos IL 101, and Aliquat 336 nitrate, the nitrate form of the commercial trialkylmethylammonium chloride extractant Aliquat 336 (alkyl = mixture of C8 and C10 chains). The structures of the lanthanide complexes across the entire lanthanide series (with the exception of promethium) were determined by a combination of solvent extraction techniques, FTIR, NMR, high-resolution steady-state luminescence spectroscopy, luminescence life time measurements, elemental analysis and EXAFS spectroscopy. The results suggest that the lanthanide ions form an anionic nitrate complex in the organic phase by coordinating with five bidentate nitrate ligands. Charge neutralization is provided by two counter cations of the extractant present in the outer coordination sphere of the complex. Furthermore, it is suggested that the pentanitrato complex is the sole lanthanide species that is formed in significant concentrations in the organic phase.

Lanthanides are extracted to basic nitrate-based extractants, like trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium nitrate, as pentanitrato lanthanide complexes.

Theoretical studies on the synergistic extraction of Am3+ and Eu3+ with CMPO–HDEHP and CMPO–HEH[EHP] systems

Synergistic extraction and separation of Eu³⁺/Am³⁺ with CMPO–HDEHP and CMPO–HEH[EHP] systems have been theoretically investigated.

Role of Tf2N− anions in the ionic liquid–water distribution of europium(iii) chelates

The replacement of water molecules of [Eu(tta)₃(H₂O)₃] with Tf₂N⁻ was evidenced in water-saturated [C_nmim][Tf₂N] by time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy.