Synergistic extraction of cobalt (II) by beta hydroxy naphthaldoxime and neutral donors

Liquid - liquid extraction of Cobalt (II) from aqueous hydrochloric acid medium by the use of oxime derivative of beta-hydroxy naphthaldehyde in o-xylene medium is being reported. The ligand was synthesized and characterized in our laboratory. The typical pH range of extraction of Co (II) by the ligand - donor combination was seen to be between 8 - 9. The effect of different donors like dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphonate and the effect of various diluents on the extraction of Co(II) by the present method were studied in detail. The binary adduct formation constant (log kex) in the organic phase was found to be 3.182. The overall equilibrium constant (log K) for the ternary species [Co(A)(DMSO)(Cl)], [Co(A)(TOPO)(Cl)] and [Co(A)(phosphonate)(Cl)] were estimated to be 6.42, 6.22 and 6.25 respectively. The trend in equilibrium constants were in accordance with their basic character, i.e., (DMSO > or = TOPO approximately/= phosphonate). The results were extrapolated in the determination of Cobalt in pharmaceutical drugs and cobalt bearing ore samples.