Development Of Equipment And Process For Extracting Cerium Iv PDF Download

Cerium (IV) nitrate is readily extracted from aqueous solutions by tri-n-butyl phosphate, a solvent which is reasonably stable under the strongly oxidizing conditions. The conditions for extraction are not critical, and favorable extraction is not inhibited by perchlorates or acetates, but sulfates interfere. By oxidation with bromates and simultaneous exhaustive extraction by butyl phosphate, the cerium may be quantitatively extracted. The degree of separation of cerium from iron, zirconium, lanthanum, and praseodymium are discussed. Uranium and thorium are extracted by butyl phosphate; the first is easily removed beforehand, and the second may be separated by coprecipitation of ceric iodate. It is believed that cerium (IV) nitrate is extracted by butyl phosphate by virtue of the formation of a new complex. Some attempts were made to identify or characterize this new body, but no conclusive evidence was gained.