A New Triketone Ligand for Extraction of Lithium from Brines**

Abstract Recovery of lithium from brines by liquid‐liquid solvent extraction (LLE) with diketones and synergistic co‐ligands has been investigated for decades, but industrial application has been limited. In pursuit of a ligand with improved properties, a series of ketonamides with beta‐carbonyl groups were designed, synthesized, and tested in extraction of lithium from sulfate and carbonate simulants of clay mineral tailing leachates. The best performing ligand, a novel tricarbonyl amide, was characterized for lithium extraction with and without four synergistic co‐ligands. The tricarbonyl amide combined with the synergistic co‐ligand Cyanex‐923 was absorbed on a resin support. The ligand‐modified resin was tested for performance in extraction of dilute brine simulants and up to 60 % recovery of lithium was achieved.