Oxime complexes, solvent extraction

The principle of solvent extraction in refining is as follows when a dilute aqueous metal solution is contacted with a suitable extractant, often an amine or oxime, dissolved in a water-immiscible organic solvent, the metal ion is complexed by the extractant and becomes preferentially soluble in the organic phase. The organic and aqueous phases are then separated. By adding another aqueous component, the metal ions can be stripped back into the aqueous phase and hence recovered. Upon the identification of suitable extractants, and using a multistage process, solvent extraction can be used to extract individual metals from a mixture. 

A comprehensive study of the complex interfacial processes involved in the solvent extraction of cupric ion by oxime ligands represents one of the most detailed and successful studies carried out with the RDC [37,38]. Recently, the technique was also used to study the transfer of tetrabutylammonium cations [43] and the kinetics of partitioning of compounds between octanol and water [44]. In the latter study, Fisk and coworkers investigated the rates of partitioning of 23 compounds from octanol to an aqueous phase. The RDC arrangement used most frequently in this work is of the o/o/w type. So according to Eq. (15), and can be calculated from the gradient and intercept of... 

Oxime complexes are used commercially for extraction of metals such as copper by complexing and solvent extraction. 

Oximes of the type RlCOCr2=NOH behave as monobasic acids and form complexes such as (36). Those with Fe11 as blue and extractable into organic solvents, and coloured complexes with Co111, Nin, Cun, Zr, Cd and Hgn are extractable into ether.18 52... 

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