Extraction behavior of metal ions using D2EHPA in cyclopentyl methyl ether

Abstract

Cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) has been developed as a commercially available ethereal solvent for application to various chemical processes. In the present study, the extraction of transition metal ions using di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) in CPME and dodecane was studied in order to evaluate the potential of CPME as a diluent in the liquid-liquid extraction process. Transition metal ions were extracted by a proton exchange reaction using D2EHPA in CPME. The degree of extraction into CPME was reduced compared with dodecane. The extraction reaction of Cu(II) using D2EHPA in CPME and dodecane was confirmed by slope analysis. A 2 : 1 complex between dimeric D2EHPA and Cu(II) was formed in CPME and dodecane, and the extraction equilibrium constants were determined.