Extraction of Rh(III) from hydrochloric acid by protonated NTAamide(C6) and analogous compounds and understanding of extraction equilibria by using UV spectroscopy and DFT calculations

Sasaki, Yuji  ; Kaneko, Masashi   ; Ban, Yasutoshi  ; Kinoshita, Ryoma; Matsumiya, Masahiko*; Shinoku, Kota*; Shiroishi, Hidenobu*

Extraction of Rh from HCl can be performed by NTAamide(C6) (hexahexyl-nitrilotriacetamide) and other related compounds into n-dodecane. We use ion-pair extraction of anionic species of Rh-chloride and protonated extractant. Rh behave as anion in hydrochloric acid and the tertiary nitrogen atom in extractant may be protonated to produce the quaternary amine in acidic condition. From the present work, the maximum distribution ratio of Rh(III) is 16. The D(Rh) values are changeable during preparation of the aqueous solutions because different Rh-Cl-HO complexes are formed in HCl media and show the slow exchange rate between Cl and HO. Using the UV spectrum, Rh-chloride solution having the peak of spectrum at 504 nm can be extracted effectively, where RhCl(HO) and RhCl(HO) exist mainly from DFT calculation. Stoichiometry of one-one complex of Rh and NTAamide is obtained from slope analysis, and 85 mM of concentrated Rh ion can be extracted.