The influence of the solvent on the extraction of iron(III) from aqueous sulphate solutions by Di(3,5,5-trimethylhexyl)amine

Abstract

The extraction of iron(111) from aqueous sulphate solutions by di(3,5,5- trimethylhexy1)amrnonium sulphate has been examined using 14 solvents of differing chemical types. The results are discussed in terms of the aggregation of the amine sulphate in solution, the dielectric constant of the solvent, and interfacial tensions between amine sulphate solutions in the solvents and water. An interfacial mechanism for the extraction is proposed.