The sorption of yttrium complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline and its diha
lide derivatives and 8-hydroxyquinoline sulfate by polyurethane foam w
as studied by luminescence and IR spectroscopic techniques. Optimum co
nditions for the sorption of complexes were found. The degrees of yttr
ium extraction and binding constants of complexes to the sorbent were
calculated. The complex sorption was established to occur by a 'ligand
addition' mechanism. A method for sorption-luminescence determination
of yttrium in scandium oxide and rock of gabbro-essexite composition
was developed with detection limits of 1 X 10(-4)% and 1 x 10(-3)%, re
spectively.