Solvent-Extraction Behavior of Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), Copper(II), and Palladium(II) with Tri-n-butylphosphate

Abstract

A systematic study of the extraction behavior of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and palladium(II) with TBP from thiocyanate system in various ranges of acid concentrations has been performed. The thiocyanate medium leads to enhanced extractions in all these cases compared to those in the previously used chloride medium. For palladium, the chloride and nitrate systems have been critically examined. Sixty-two per cent extraction occurs from 4 M hydrochloric acid using 100% TBP in a single run and the extraction becomes quantitative (>99%) after four successive equilibrations. A simpler method has been proposed for rapid extraction of palladium(II) as the thiocyanate complex. Quantitative extraction occurs in the presence of 1.2% thiocyanate solution from 0.5 to 2 M hydrochloric acid (initial) up to pH 8.0. The extractable species of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and palladium(II) from thiocyanate medium are probably similar and of the type [M(CNS)₄]^2? [K·TBP·3H₂O]₂ ⁺ (buffer solution) and [M(CNS)₄]^2? [H·TBP·3H₂O]⁺ ₂ (acid solution). A simple extraction scheme has been worked out for the separation of palladium(II) from iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel, manganese(II), copper(II), and platinum.