EXTRACTION/SEPARATION METHOD

摘要

The inventive extraction/separation method involves the step of contacting an organic phase containing a dialkyldiglycol amic acid extractant: R1R2NCOCH2OCH2COOH with an aqueous solution containing scandium and zirconium and/or hafnium for thereby extracting zirconium and/or hafnium into the organic phase. The purity of scandium can be efficiently increased by the simple step of solvent extraction.

主权项

1. A method for separating a second element from an aqueous solution by solvent extraction, said aqueous solution containing scandium as a first element and each or both of zirconium and hafnium as the second element, the method comprising the step of contacting the aqueous solution as an aqueous phase with an organic phase containing a dialkyldiglycol amic acid having the general formula (1):
R1R2NCOCH2OCH2COOH   (1) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a straight or branched alkyl group, at least one of R1 and R2 being an alkyl group of at least 6 carbon atoms, as an extractant, for thereby extracting the second element into the organic phase.