The extraction of iron(III) from aqueous sulphate solutions by primene sulphate

Abstract

A study of the extraction of iron(III) from aqueous sulphate media by the primary amine Primene 81R at 50°C has been made. The compound extracted from the organic phase with Primene 81R sulphate in kerosene has been isolated and recrystallized from a methanol-acetone mixture and has been shown to have the stoichiometric formula 3(RNH3)---2SO4·(Fe(OH)SO4)---2 represents the alkyl groups associated with the amine. It has been shown that the extraction of iron(III) occurs by an adduct formation reaction between primary amine sulphate molecules and the species IFe(OH)SO4I2 from the aqueous phase. On the basis of the experimental data and spectral studies a dimeric structure is suggested for the extracted complex.We are grateful to C.A.I.C.Y.T. for financial support, and to the Spanish Council of Research (C.S.I.C.) for the award of a studentship (to F.J.A.).Peer reviewe