Speciation of molybdenum (VI) in aqueous and organic phases of selected extraction systems

The extraction study of molybdenum (VI) by 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate in n-dodecane and 0.2M octyl (phenyl)-N,N-di-isobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide in 30% tri-n-butyl phosphate extraction systems was performed from aqueous solution containing HCl, HNO(3) and acetohydroxamic acid. Depending on extraction conditions, acetohydroxamic acid can significantly affect the speciation of molybdenum and can increase or decrease its distribution ratio. Our investigation confirmed the strong ability of the acetohydroxamic acid to form complexes with Mo even in highly acidic solutions. UV absorption spectra confirmed that a fraction of the Mo(VI)-AHA species can be present in the organic phase after extraction.