Extraction study of rare earth elements with N,N′-dibutyl-N,N′-di(1-methylheptyl)-diglycolamide from hydrochloric acid

A novel, unsymmetrical diglycolamide, N,N'-dibutyl-N,N'-di(1-methylheptyl)-diglycolamide (DBD1MHDGA), was synthesized. The extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from a hydrochloric acid medium with DBD1MHDGA was investigated. The results of the extraction experiments indicated that the distribution ratios of RE(III) ions increase with an increase in HCl concentration, atomic number, and extractant concentration. The calculated thermodynamic data show that the extraction process is an exothermic reaction. The organic phase loaded rare earth ions were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The composition of the extracted complex was determined.