EXTRACTION EQUILIBRIUM OF MERCURY(II) WITH BIS(2-ETHYLHEXYL) SULFOXIDE

The extraction of mercury(II) from chloride and thiocyanate solutions has been studied by tracer techniques using bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulphoxi de (B2EHSO) in benzene as an extractant. These extraction data have be en analyzed theoretically by taking into account complexation of the m etal in the aqueous phase by inorganic ligands and plausible complexat ion in the organic phase. The results demonstrate that Hg(II) is extra cted as HgX(2) and HgX(2) . nB2EHSO (where X = Cl- or SCN- and n = 1 o r 2). The effect of the foreign ions on the extraction of Hg(II) has a lso been investigated.