Extraction of the Elements as Quaternary (Propyl, Butyl, and Hexyl) Amine CompIexes WILLIAM J. MAECK, GLENN L. BOOMAN, MAXINE ELLIOTT KUSSY, and JAMES E. REIN Atomic Energy Division, Phillips Petroleum Co., Idaho Falls, Idaho
b The distributions of 57 metallic ions have been measured for three quaternary amines, tetrapropyl, tetrabutyl, and tetrahexyl, into methyl isobutyl ketone from five media, "01, HzSO4, HF, HCI, and NaOH, over the concentration range of 0.2 to 5N. Distribution data are presented as plots of per cent extraction vs. normality in a series of 5 periodic charts. Many separations for radiochemical and general analytical application are proposed.
T
of the ion association complex of uranium(V1) and tetrapropylammonium nitrate into methyl isobutyl ketone is the basis of specific analytical separation methods for uranium (9, neptunium (61, and plutonium ( 7 ) . 'n these methods, an HE EXTRACTION
aciddeficient aluminum nitrate salting solution provides both quantitative extraction and hydrolysis of several metal ions that would otllerwise complex and extract. Without this salting effect, the extraction behavior of quaternary aminemetal ion complexes can be expected to parallel that of anion exchange on quaternary amine-type resins. During the course of this investigation, Wilson and Churchill (9) showed this similarity for higher molecular weight quaternary amine complexes of seven metal ions from hydrochloric acid media. For analytical purposes, the liquidliquid extraction system offers advantages of speed, reproducibility, and potential gain of specificity through control of such variables as tetraalkyl group and organic solvent.
HI
EXTRACTION NO EXTRACTION N
The distributions of 57 metallic ions have been measured for three quaternary amines, tetrapropyl, tetrabutyl, and tetrahexyl into methyl isobutyl ketone from five media, "08, H2S04, HF, HCI, and h'aOH. Many separations of analytical usefulness are noted which are now being evaluated for both radiochemical and general analytical application. REAGENTS
Radioactive tracers were either prepared by neutron irradiation in the Materials Testing Reactor or were purchased from the Isotopes Division of Oak Ridge National Laboratory. PROCEDURE
Batch equilibrations were made as follows: To the test tube were added
)98%
