Solvent extraction of zirconium with Amberlite LA-1 in malonate medium [Paper No. : V-7]

Zirconium was quantitatively extracted with 4% Amberlite LA-1 or Amberlite LA-2 in xylene at pH 3.0 from 0.01 M malonic acid. Zirconium was stripped from the organic phase with 2 M hydrochloric acid and was determined spectrophotometrically at 665 nm as its green complex with Arsenazo III. Primene JM-T and Aliquat-336S were not suitable extractants as they form emulsion, whereas tri-benzylamine was found to be a poor extractant. When various aromatic hydrocarbons were tested as diluents, xylene was found to be the most efficient. Zirconium was separated from S-block elements by selective extraction. It was separated from Zn, Cd, Ni, Cu, Co, Al, Pb, Tl(I) and Mn by stripping them with water before zirconium. It was also separated by selective stripping from other transition metals. (author)