Solvent extraction of uranium and some other metal ions with 2-N-butyl-2-ethyl octanohydroxamic acid

The solvent extraction of uranium by solutions of the new extractant 2-n-bytyl-2-ethyl octanohydroxamic acid (HX) in different solvents has been investigated as a function of pH, ligand and uranium concentrations. The results indicate that a 1 : 2 complex, UO2X2, is formed in solution, which has been confirmed by analysis of the isolated complex. Values of Kext were 2.0, 6.6 × 10−3 and 1.3 × 10−3 in hexane, xylene and chloroform, respectively. Extraction behaviour of HX towards Zr, Ce, Ru, Sr and Cs has also been studied as a function of pH and the results are discussed.