STUDY OF THE EXTRACTION OF ZINC(II) IN AQUEOUS CHLORIDE MEDIA BY CYANEX-302

The partition of zinc(II) between aqueous hydrochloric acid/chloride solutions and solutions of Cyanex 302 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl] monothiophosphinic acid), in kerosene was studied at various aqueous pH values, extractant and zinc concentrations, different temperatures and equilibration times. The behaviour of the extraction system with different organic diluents and aqueous ionic strengths, in relation to other organophosphorus extractants and to the selectivity of the extractant in systems containing zinc(II) and other metallic ions was also investigated. The zinc(II) extraction mechanism is discussed on the basis of the experimental results.