Extraction Studies of Lanthanum(III) from Sodium Salicylate Medium Using Trialkyl Phosphine Oxide

Abstract

Cyanex-923, a mixture of four trialkylphosphine oxide has been used for the extraction and separation of La(III) from sodium salicylate medium. Lanthanum(III) ion was found to be quantitatively extracted with Cyanex-923 in toluene at pH 6.0. The metal loaded organic phase is stripped with 2.0M HCl solution. Various parameters like effect of pH, Cyanex-923 concentration, sodium salicylate concentration, diluents, equilibration period and stripping agent on the extraction of La(III) has been studied. The stoichiometry of the extracted species of this metal ion was determined on the basis of the slope analysis method. The reaction proceed by solvation and the probable extracted species found were LaSal-HSal .2Cyanex-923.