Equilibrium and kinetics of copper extraction from acidic sulfate solutions with isomeric 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-alkyl-phenyl)-1-alkanone (E)-oximes

Equilibrium and kinetic data were determined for copper extraction by individual 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-nonylphenyl)-1-ethanone (E)-oxime and 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-1-decanone (E)-oxime having different locations of the nonyl group. Solubility in water, partition of oximes between water and toluene and the interfacial tension isotherms were also determined and used to interpret kinetic data and to discuss the mechanism of copper extraction. 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-nonylphenyl)-1-ethanone (E)-oxime extracts the same amount of copper and at the same pH range as 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)-1-decanone (E)-oxime. The extraction rate is much faster for copper extraction with 1-(2'-hydroxy-5'-nonylphenyl)-1-ethanone (E)-oxime. This can be qualitatively explained by its higher solubility in aqueous solutions or by its better adsorption and orientation at the interfaces as the bulk volume process or the interfacial process are considered. (author) 34 refs.; 6 figs.; 6 tabs