Chloroform extraction of ethyl xanthate complexes from sulphuric acid media

The chloroform extraction of 30 elements (Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Ge, Sn, V, As, Sb, Bi, Cu, Ag, Au, Mn, Re, Ga, In, Tl, Se, Te, Cr, Mo, U, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Ru and Ce) from 0.1-8M sulphuric acid in the presence of potassium ethyl xanthate has been studied. Pd(II), Bi, As(III), Sb(III), Se(IV) and Te(IV) are completely extracted and Au(III) is largely extracted over the range of acid concentration investigated. Fe(II), Tl(I), Rh(III) and Cr(VI) are only slightly extracted and Se(VI), Te(VI), Ru(III), Cr(III), Mn(II), Zn, Ce(IV), Ir(IV) and Ge(IV) are not extracted at all. Depending on the acid concentration, the remaining elements are all partly extracted. Results are compared with those obtained in an earlier study of the extraction of xanthate complexes from hydrochloric acid media. The processes involved in the formation of some xanthate complexes and potential analytical separations are discussed.