Comparative Study on Reactive Extraction of Picolinic Acid with Six Different Extractants (Phosphoric and Aminic) in Two Different Diluents (Benzene and Decan-1-ol)

Abstract

The equilibrium study on reactive extraction of picolinic acid by six different extractants (phosphoric and aminic) dissolved in two different diluents (benzene and decane-1-ol) is carried out to evaluate the performance of extractants and diluents. The extraction ability in terms of the distribution coefficient (K D) is found to be in the order of tri-n-octylamine (TOA) ≥ tri-n-dodecylamine (TDDA) > di-2-ehylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) > tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) > tri-octyl methyl ammonium chloride (Aliquat 336) > tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) with both diluents. Decan-1-ol is found to be the better solvating medium for the acid-extractant complexes. A mathematical model based on mass action law is employed to estimate the values of partition coefficient (P) and dimerization constant (D) in physical extraction, and equilibrium extraction constants (K E) in chemical extraction. The values of loading ratios (Z) less than 0.5 imply the formation of (1:1) acid:extractant solvates in the organic phase. Decan-1-ol with TOA is the most effective solvation medium with K D, max = 9 at 0.01 kmol · m−3 of picolinic acid and K E = 19.448 m3 · kmol−1.