Ion flotation of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) in the presence of proton-ionizable lariat ethers.

Competitive flotation of Cd(II) and Zn(II) from very dilute aqueous solutions by proton-ionizable lariat ethers in the presence of nonylphenol nona(ethylene glycol) ether as a nonionic foaming agent is reported. Influences of structural variation within the collector (identity of the pendent acidic group and lipophilicity), concentration of the collector, and pH of the aqueous solution are assessed. A monoethyl lariat ether phosphonic acid collector is found to exhibit high Cd(II)/Zn(II) flotation selectivity under certain conditions.