Solvent extraction of La3+ with ethylenediamine-N,N?-ditetradecyl-N,N?-diacetic acid (EDDAT) in dichloromethane

Ethylenediamine-N,N'-ditetradecyl-N,N'-diacetic acid (EDDAT) was synthesized for the solvent extraction of La3+. EDDAT was prepared from ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetic acid (EDDA) and tetradecyl bromide in a basic n-amylalcohol-ethanol-water solvent system. The structure of this new extracting reagent was identified according to spectroscopic data, i.e. C-13 NMR, H-1 NMR, and elemental analysis results. The solvent extraction of La3+ with EDDAT in dichloromethane was studied as a function of parameters of the aqueous and organic phases. The optimal extraction conditions were determined. The extraction yield increased with a decrease in hydrogen ions in the aqueous phase. Stripping of the La3+ loaded organic phase was achieved with HCl aqueous solution. The effect of stripping as a function of the HCl concentration was also studied.