Solvent extraction of lanthanum (III) and cerium (III) from aqueous chloride solutions by LIX 70

Abstract The extraction and separation of cerium (III) from aqueous NaCl solutions with LIX 70® dissolved in kerosene or in n-heptane was investigated. The extraction of both metals has been found to depend on pH and on extractant concentration but not to depend on metal or chloride concentrations. The extraction constants calculated experimentally are log K ex = −16.15 for cerium and log K ex = −16.85 for lanthanum, It was found that both lanthanides are extracted as 1:3, metal: reagent complexes.