Separation of trivalent rare earths from chloride medium using solvent extraction with heptylaminomethyl phosphonic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester (HEHHAP)

Abstract A novel extractant heptylaminomethyl phosphonic acid 2-ethylhexyl ester (HEHHAP, abbreviated as H2L2) was synthesized for the extraction and separation of trivalent rare earths (REs: La ~ Lu, plus Y) from chloride medium. The results showed that the extraction of heavy REs by HEHHAP was higher than that of light one as in the order: La