Extraction and separation of gallium, indium and thallium with several carboxylic acids from chloride media.

A method is proposed for the extraction and individual separation of trivalent gallium, indium and thallium with sec-octylphenoxy acetic acid (CA-12), sec-nonylphenoxy acetic acid (CA-100) and naphthenic acid (NA) from chloride media. The distribution equilibria of gallium (III), indium (III), thallium (III) and thallium (I) between carboxylic acids (CA-12, CA-100 and NA) dissolved in kerosene and acidic aqueous chloride media has been investigated as a function of the concentration of extractants and the concentration of hydrogen ion in aqueous phase. A possible mechanism of the extraction is discussed. The method permits rapid and precise individual separation of gallium (III), indium (III) and thallium (III), and is applicable to the analysis of alloy samples.