EXTRACTION OF FE(III), CU(II), CO(II), NI(II) AND PB(II) WITH THENOYLTRIFLUOROACETONE USING THE TERNARY SOLVENT SYSTEM WATER ETHANOL METHYLISOBUTYLKETONE

Single-phase solutions (1.72 x 10(-2)M in TTA) of water/ethanol/MIBK, when added to an excess of water, break down into two immiscible liquid layers and TTA complexes of Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) are extracted into the organic layer. Quantitative extractions were obtained for the five metals and separations of Fe(III) from a 1000-fold excess of Co(II), Ni(II) or Pb(II) are obtained. The reactions of the metal ions with TTA were studied in the single-phase solutions before the extraction step, giving useful information as to their complexation behavior.