THE SOLVENT EXTRACTION OF ZINC FROM LITHIUM CHLORIDE BY ALIQUAT 336 CHLORIDE,BROMIDE AND IODIDE IN CHLOROFORM: AN ANALYTICAL INVESTIGATION

ABSTRACT

The extraction of zinc by Aliquat CI in chloroform is studied as a function of LiCl concentration. A plot of log D versus total Cl] shows that log D increases sharply from 0-2 M LiCl, then remains constant over a considerable range of concentrations ( 2-8 M ), before shooting up again from 8-14 M. Further work is carried out at 4 M LiCl to determine the extraction equation, and quantitative aspects determined such as a plot of log D versus log Aliquat Cl]_free, giving a ratio of 2:1 for extractant: metal, and the ratio Cl / Zn]_extracted, which is 2.

In order to follow the exchange of halides across the interface, Aliquat Br and Aliquat I are used as extractants in chloroform to study the extraction of zinc chloride from 4 M LiCL Organic and aqueous phases are analysed for halides and zinc, and the ratio ΔCl] / Zn] in the organic phase determined to be 3 for both Aliquat Br and I at 4M LiCl, indicating extraction of ZnCl₃,' and not ZnCl₄ ² at this concentration. Further work with these extractants based on plots of log D versus log Aliquat X]_free ( X = Br, I ) is presented and extraction equations are proposed for these extractants, which fit the data.

Extraction of zinc at 4 M LiCl by Aliquat Cl is then considered in terms of the extraction of the trichlorozincate (II) species, ZnCl₃,“, and the extraction constant determined.