Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, Vol.15, No.3, 291-297, 2008
Rapid extraction and separation of indium(III) with a high molecular weight amine
The liquid-liquid extraction of indium(III) from sodium succinate media using n-octylaniline in toluene as an extractant was studied. Quantitative extraction of indium(III) was observed in the range of 0.004-0.0075 M sodium succinate at pH 3.8-6.0 with 4% n-octylaniline in toluene. Indium(III) was completely stripped from the metal loaded organic phase of the extractant with water and determined complexometrically. The stoichiometry of the extracted species was determined on the basis of;slope analysis. The extraction was found to proceed by a ion-pair mechanism with the extracted species being [RNH3+In(succinate)(2)(-)](org). Separation of indium(III) was carried out from some associated metals like Tl(I), Mg(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II),. Cd(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), GC(IV), Sb(III), Bi(III). The selectivity of the extraction of indium(III) can also be achieved by use of a suitable masking agent for estimation and determination from the synthetic mixture corresponding to alloy to show the practical utility of the extractant.