Benzyl(2-methoxy-3-diphenylphosphino)propyl ether as a carrier for the selective transport of Pd(II) through a solid supported liquid membrane

Benzyl(2-methoxy-3-diphenylphosphino)propyl ether (BPOMe), a new chelating reagent, was synthesised for the selective extraction of Pd(II) from aqueou s chloride solutions. This reagent was used as a carrier in a solid support ed liquid membrane system for the transport of palladium, and chemical cond itions where selected using laminar configuration. The best stripping resul ts where obtained with thiourea at an acidic pH, and, among the organic sol vents tested as liquid membrane diluents, decaline gave the most stable sol id supported liquid membrane (SSLM) and was the most efficient in the trans port of Pd(II). The effect of both carrier and initial metal concentration on the permeability value was also studied and it was observed that BPOMe i s more effective at low level metal concentrations. The selectivity of this reagent towards palladium has been evaluated using source solutions in chl oride media containing Pd(II), Pt(IV) and Rh(III). The results revealed tha t palladium was the only metal extracted. Based on these results, a hollow fiber membrane configuration was employed for the selective preconcentratio n of palladium.