SOLVENT-EXTRACTION OF PICRIC ACID FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS

4-Methyl-2-pentanone, 2-methylpropyl ethanoate, and diisopropyl ether have been evaluated as solvents for extraction of picric acid from wat er or solutions containing (NH4)(2)SO4, Na2SO4 and NH4NO3. Equilibrium distribution coefficients (Kd) have been measured at 303.15 K and pH = 3. The highest values of K-d were obtained with 4-methyl-2-pentanone ; with 2-methylpropyl ethanoate the values of K-d were slightly lower, and with diisopropyl ether the values of K-d were extremely small. It was also verified that the ammonium nitrate increases the extraction yield (salting out effect) while the sulfates have an irregular behavi or and may hinder the extraction.