Hydrometallurgy technology played a significant role in mineral resources sustainable development,utilization of resources and environmental protection adequately.With the development of technology and perfect in metallurgical production,hydrometallurgy occupied an important position.As an important means of hydrometallurgy of solvent extraction technology,it was also widely researched and applied.The historical development of extractants in hydrometallurgy was briefly described,compared with the traditional extractants and ditopic extractants.