Inorganic Extraction Studies on the System between Tri-n-butyl Phosphine Oxide and Hydrochloric Acid

Abstract

A radiochemical survey on the extraction behavior of about sixty chemical elements was performed in 1% TBPO toluene solution and hydrochloric acid system. The distribution ratios between organic and aqueous phases were obtained in the acidities 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 M of hydrochloric acid respectively. Although the chemical form or the oxidation state could not be defined unambigously in several cases, familiar chemical forms were chosen as far as possible. Radioactive tracers were employed for determining distribution ratios, which were obtained by the measurement of radioactivities of both phases respectively. One part of these tracers were imported, others were obtained by chemical treatments after neutron irradiation in JRR-1. On the periodical table, the distribution ratios for each element give considerable regularities toward the families to which the elements belong. From relationships between distribution ratios and acidities in this system, one can find suitable acidity for separating a pair of ions chosen arbitrarily. Comparing the acid dependence curves in this system with those in 100% TBP-HCl system, are observed remarkable similarities, however, those in 1% TBPO-HCl system show generally lower values than in 100% TBP-HCl system. © 1961, Atomic Energy Society of Japan. All rights reserved.