A New Triketone Ligand for Extraction of Lithium from Brines

Abstract Recovery of lithium from brines by liquid‐liquid solvent extraction (LLE) with diketones and synergistic co‐ligands has been investigated for decades, but industrial application has been limited. In pursuit of a ligand with improved properties, a series of ketonamides with beta‐carbonyl groups were designed, synthesized, and tested in extraction of lithium from sulfate and carbonate simulants of clay mineral tailing leachates. The best performing ligand, a novel tricarbonyl amide, was characterized for lithium extraction with and without four synergistic co‐ligands. The tricarbonyl amide combined with the synergistic co‐ligand Cyanex‐923 was absorbed on a resin support. The ligand‐modified resin was tested for performance in extraction of dilute brine simulants and up to 60 % recovery of lithium was achieved.