Reactive Extraction of Monocarboxylic Acids (Formic, Acetic, and Propionic) Using Tributyl Phosphate in Green Solvents (Cyclopentyl Methyl Ether and 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran)

The separation of monocarboxylic acids formic, acetic, and propionic) from aqueous solutions is still a current issue for both scientific and industrial fields. Reactive extraction with an adequate extractant and diluent system has been focused and researched as an alternative to other separation techniques. Lately, the use of green solvents instead of conventional organic solvents in carboxylic acid extraction has received a great amount of attention. In this aspect, in the present research, the recovery of formic acid (FA), acetic acid (AA), and propionic acid (PA) from aqueous solutions was carried out by reactive extraction with green solvents. In the current reactive study, tributyl phosphate (TBP) has been used as an extractant, and green solvents, cyclopentyl methyl ether (CPME) and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF), have been utilized as diluents. The effect of TBP concentration (0.7-5.2 mol.kg(-1)) on the extraction power was investigated. In addition, the effects of the use of two different green solvents on extraction were also investigated. Distribution coefficient (D), extraction efficiency (E%), and loading factor (Z) values were ascertained and interpreted. D, E, and Z were determined to be in the ranges of 0.289-4.003, 22.41-78.41%, and 0.198-2.218, respectively. It was also observed that, for the studied range, the extractant concentration was increased to be effective when using CPME as the diluent, but a similar effect was not seen when 2-MeTHF was used. However, 2-MeTHF was observed to be a more effective solvent for physical extraction. The extraction efficiency in both diluents increased in the order of PA > AA >= FA.

Automated summary

The separation of monocarboxylic acids from aqueous solutions remains a current issue, with reactive extraction using green solvents being a promising alternative approach. Tributyl phosphate was used as the extractant, and 2-MeTHF was found to be a more effective solvent for physical extraction. Propionic acid showed the highest extraction efficiency among the acids studied.