Solvent extraction of Sc(III) from sulfuric acid solution by bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphonic acid in toluene

Liquid-liquid extraction of scandium(III) from sulfuric acid solution using bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphinic acid (PIA-8) in toluene has been studied. The extraction of scandium(III) was found to be quantitative with 0.03 M PIA-8 in toluene in the acidic range of 0.1?0.5 M and 6.0?8.0 M H2SO4. The effect of the reagent concentration and other parameters on the extraction of scandium(III) was also studied. The stoichiometry of the extracted species of scandium(III) was determined on the basis of the slope analysis method. The extraction reaction proceeds via the cation exchange mechanism in the H2SO4 concentration range of 0.1?0.5M and the extracted species is ScR3.3HR. However, at higher acidity (6.0M?8.0M H2SO4) it proceeds by solvation. The extracted species is HSc(SO4)2.4HR. The temperature dependencies of the extraction equilibrium constants were examined to estimate the apparent thermodynamic functions (?H, ?S and ?G) for the extraction reaction.