Distribution Studies of Zinc and Copper Salicylates with Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate

Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate is proposed as an extractant for the solvent extraction of zinc and copper salicylate. The optimum extraction conditions are established by studying the various experimental parameters such as pH, sodium salicylate concentration, tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate concentration, equilibration period, and various diluents. The probable extracted species as ascertained by log D-log C plots is Zn(HSal)22T2EHP and Cu(HSal)22T2EHP. The method permits mutual separation of zinc and copper and can be used for separation and determination of zinc and copper in environmental and pharmaceutical samples.