Radiochemical extraction and separation of mercury(II) from zinc(II) and cadmium(II) with Cyanex 471X

The extraction of zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) from thiocyanate solutions has been investigated by tracer techniques with triisobutylphosphine sulfide (= TIBPS, commercially known as CYANEX 471X) in benzene as an extractant. The extraction data have been analyzed by both graphical and theoretical methods taking into account aqueous phase speciation and all plausible complexes extracted into the organic phase. These results demonstrate that Hg(II) is extracted into benzene as Hg(SCN)(2) and Hg(SCN)(2).3 TIBPS. On the other hand, under the present experimental conditions, Zn(II) and Cd(II) are not found to be extracted into benzene with TIBPS. These results also demonstrate the selective separation possibility of Hg(II) from Zn(II) and Cd(II) with TIBPS as an extractant from aqueous solutions containing thiocyanate.