Solvent Polarity Effect when Amberlite-LA2 Is Used in the Extraction of Picric Acid

The separation and recovery of picric acid (0.061 mol-kg(-1)) from its aqueous solution was studied at a fixed temperature of 298 K. The extraction experiments were performed by using a secondary amine, Amberlite-LA2 (ALA2), dissolved in five different solvents such as dichloromethane (DCM), dodecanol, toluene, benzene, and dodecane. Physical extraction data were also produced by pure solvent alone. The experimental data obtained from the batch studies were analyzed by calculating the distribution coefficient (K-D), extraction efficiency (%E), and loading factor (Z). The highest synergistic effect was achieved with DCM in ALA2 at a concentration of 0.588 mol.kg(-1) as 83.61%. The equilibrium constants for the complex formation between acid and amine (1:1 and 2:1) were calculated for all the solvents applying the mass action law.