Solvent extraction of iron(III) from hydrochloric acid solution by sulphoxides and their mixtures

Abstract

The extraction of iron(III) from hydrochloric acid solution by the series of sulphoxides (R₂SO) from dipentyl to didecyl sulphoxide in 1,1,2-trichloroethane has been studied. At a given strength of the extractant, extraction increases initially with increase in the acid concentration to a maximum at 8 M and decreases thereafter. Increase in H⁺ at constant Cl^- strength or increase in Cl^- at a given H⁺ increases the extraction. Under otherwise identical conditions, extraction increases with increase in the extractant concentration. The extracted species would appear to be HFeCl₄,2R₂SO. A mixture of two sulphoxides or of a sulphoxide and tributyl phosphate extracts the metal ion more than the sum of extractions due to the individual components.