Synergic liquid/liquid extraction of lithium and sodium with 4-acyl-5-pyrazolones with bulky substituents and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide

Abstract The synergic liquid/liquid extraction of lithium and sodium with 4-acyl-5-pyrazolones having bulky substituents and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is described. The maximum percentage extraction and the separation of lithium and sodium were improved by introducing bulky substituents. Quantitative extraction (⪢ 99% ) of lithium could be achieved by adduct formation with TOPO, which enhanced the extraction much more than did triphenylphosphine oxide. The extraction decreased in the solvent order cyclohexane ⪢ benzene ⪢ chloroform, which is the general trend in synergic extractions.