Solvent extraction separation of antimony(III) with 2-ethylhexylphosphonicacid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (PC-88A)

Solvent extraction of antimony(III) from aqueous chloride with 2-ethylhexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethyl hexyl ester (PC-88A) in toluene has been inve stigated. The optimum conditions required for quantitative extraction have been determined by studying the effect of various parameters such as acid c oncentration, reagent concentration, diluent effect, stripping agent, equil ibrium time and diverse ions. Antimony(III) is quantitatively extracted fro m 0.1 M HCl with 1.5x10(-1) M PC-88A in toluene as well as xylene when equi librated for 2 min. Antimony(III) from the loaded organic phase is stripped with 8.5 M H2SO4 and determined spectrophotometrically by iodide method. T he method has been successfully applied for the separation of antimony(III) from commonly associated metals and its determination in real samples.