TREATING RHODIUM, IRIDIUM AND RUTHENIUM SOLUTIONS

摘要

2103144 9221419 PCTABS00017 A method for the removal, separation, and concentration of Rh, Ir, and/or Ru from a source solution which may contain larger concentrations of other ions including H+ comprises bringing the source solution into contact with a compound comprising a polyalkylene-polyamine-containing ligand covalently bonded through an organic spacer silicon grouping to a solid inorganic support. The ligand portion(s) of the compound has affinity for complexed anionic species of Rh, Ir, and/or Ru. The Rh and/or Ru are first selectively removed from the compound through contact with a much smaller volume of a first receiving solution. The Ir is then removed from the compound through contact with a much smaller volume of a second receiving solution having a greater affinity for the Ir than the liquid portion of the compound or having a greater affinity for the ligand portion of the compound than the Ir species. The process is useful in the recovery and refining of the valuable Rh and Ir from a variety of sources. The invention is also drawn to the particular highly stable branched polyalkylene-polyamine-containing ligands covalently bonded through a spacer grouping to a hydrophilic inorganic solid support material.