Solvent extraction separation of zirconium(IV) with macrobicyclic polyether from chloride media

Zirconium(IV) was quantitatively extracted at pH 3.4 with 0.01 mol l(-1) cryptand 2.2.2 in chloroform. From the organic phase zirconium(IV) was stripped with 1 mol l(-1) nitric acid and was subsequently determined spectrophotometrically at 385 nm as its complex with 8-hydroxyquinoline. The extraction was quantitative at pH 3.2-3.6. Chloroform was the best diluent. The optimum concentration of the cryptand 2.2.2 was 0.01 mol l(-1) Only 1-2 mol l(-1) nitric acid was effective for purpose of stripping. Zirconium(IV) was separated from large number of anions and transition metals in binary as well as in the multicomponent mixtures. The relative standard deviation was +/-1.2%.