Solvent extraction of first-row transition metals by thiosubstituted organophosphinic acids

Organophosphorus compounds are well known as solvent-extraction reagents. Two new reagents in this class are Cyanex 302 and Cyanex 301, the respective mono- and dithio analogs of the commercial extractant, Cyanex 272 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)-phosphinic acid). The replacement of oxygen by sulfur in these reagents decreases their pKₐ, and enables extraction to be carried out at much lower pH than previously attained. A comparative characterization of Cyanex 272, Cyanex 302, and Cyanex 301 is undertaken. The aggregation and partitioning behavior of these reagents is determined. A comparison of the solvent extraction behavior of first-row transition-metal ions from manganese to zinc in acidic sulfate solution by these reagents is reported. Distribution coefficients shift to lower pH with increasing sulfur substitution of the extractant, the greatest effect being observed for soft Lewis acids. These reagents are found to be strong extractants for the transition metals examined, but poor extractants for alkaline-earth ions and manganese(II). Certain metal ions, in particular copper(II) and silver(I), are, however, extremely difficult to strip, which may mitigate against potential applications. Stoichiometry of the extraction reactions and the nature of the metal complexes formed are postulated based on slope-analysis techniques and spectroscopic and molecular-mass measurements. Molecular modelling of the extractants and extracted species is presented. Some reasons for the enhanced stability of the complexes formed with certain metals are discussed in terms of d-electron effects, donor-/acceptor-atom interactions, ligand-field observations, and steric effects associated with the extractants.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Materials Science & Engineering

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Arizona.

Year dc:date.issued

1993

Author dc:creator

• Sole, Kathryn Clare.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Poirier, David R.
• Raghavan, Srini
• Freiser, Henry
• Kordosky, G. A.

• Dissertations, Academic.
• Metallurgy.
• Materials science.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10150/186480

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/186480