Extraction of Lanthanide(III) and Yttrium(III) Nitrates with a Toluene Solution of Trialkylbenzylammonium Salts of Higher α,α'-Branched Carboxylic Acids

Extraction of lanthanide(III) [La(III)-Lu(III), including also yttrium(III)] nitrates with a toluene solution of trialkylbenzylamonium salts of higher α,α'-branched carboxylic acids (A) was studied at 298 K. The extraction isotherms were described taking into account that the Ln(III) extractable complexes (R4N)2[Ln(NO3)3A2] and (R4N)3[Ln(NO3)3A3] (A is carboxylate anion) are formed in the organic phase. The extraction constants decrease in going from La(Ce)(III) to Lu(III). The extraction constant of Y(III) is less than that of La(III)-Lu(III). The IR spectra of extractable complexes were studied.