| Abstract: | Pyridinecarboxylate esters were found to cause appreciable synergistic shifts in the pH50 values for the extraction of some divalent base metals by solutions of Versatic 10 acid in xylene. For n-octyl 3-pyridinecarboxylate, the synergistic shifts decreased in the order Ni > Co > Cd > Cu ≈ Fe > Mn > Zn, and for the commercial extractant Acorga DS5443A in the order Ni > Cu > Co > Fe > Cd > Mn > Zn. No synergistic effects were observed for divalent lead, calcium and magnesium. On the basis of the pH50 values obtained, several possible practical metal separations are suggested. No loss of metal-loading capacity was found when the organic phases were contacted with 1 M sulphuric acid for prolonged periods at 30°C. The effect of changes in the structure of a series of isomeric octyl pyridinecarboxylates is reported for one of the smaller cations studied (copper), as well as for one of the larger cations (cadmium). |
