Structural effects of neutral organophosphorus extractants on solvent extraction of rare-earth elements from aqueous and non-aqueous nitrate solutions

Abstract A series of neutral organophosphorus extractants, comprising phosphine oxides, phosphinates, phosphonates and phosphates with linear branched alkyl chains have been synthesized. Together some similar commercial the performance these new compounds in extraction Nd(III) Dy(III) from both aqueous nitrate non-aqueous ethylene glycol solutions was investigated. It observed that: (1) order efficiency rare-earth elements is same as basicity (electronegativity) extractant molecules: oxide > phosphinate > phosphonate > phosphate; (2) type extractants longer show higher metal efficiencies, hamper extraction; (3) give separation factors for all types than corresponding solutions; finally (4) phosphinates are more promising oxides by solvent solutions. These results useful development efficient selective processes.