Recovery of lanthanides from digested phosphogypsum solutions using a new organophosphorus extractant, 5-(diphenylphosphoryl)hexan-3-one

Abstract

Extraction of rare earth elements from digested phosphogypsum solutions with a number of well-known organophosphorus compounds, tributyl phosphate, trioctylphosphine oxide, and bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phosphoric acid, as well as with phosphoryl ketone Ph2P(O)CHMeCH2C(O)Et, was studied. It was found that this phosphoryl ketone is the most effective reagent for obtaining the mixed lanthanide concentrate. An improved synthetic route to this compound was developed.