Solvent Effects on the Extraction of Copper(II) with Lauric Acid

Guerdouh A, Barkat D

Abstract

The solvent extraction of copper(II) from nitrate medium with lauric acid (HL) at 25°C is studied as a function of various parameters: pH, concentration of lauric acid and the nature of solvent. The solvent effects on the extraction of copper(II) using polar and nonpolar solvents are treated. Extracted species differs from solvent to solvent: CuL2 (HL)2 for cyclohexane, dichloromethane, toluene or chloroform and CuL2 for 1-octanol and methyl isobutyl ketone. The extraction constants, percentage extraction (%E) and free energy (ΔG°) are also calculated for different solvents.