Correlation of the Extraction Constant Values of Zn2+ and Cd2+ from Phosphoric Acid Media by Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic Acid Dissolved in Toluene

Abstract

Values of the extraction constants of Zn2+ and Cd2+ from aqueous phosphoric acid solutions (0.36 to 7.31 mol⋅L−1) by Cyanex 301 in toluene, involving formation of the complexes ZnR2 and CdR2 with R being bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinate, have been correlated at T=298 K as a function of the ionic strength. For this purpose the activity coefficients of all of the aqueous species have been calculated taking into account both the protolytic equilibria of concentrated phosphoric acid and complexation reactions between the cations and the phosphoric acid species. Good correlations have been obtained for the extraction constant values with the ionic strength, provided the release of water molecules during the extraction processes is considered. Finally, extraction constant values are reported at infinite dilution.