1 International Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2014; 4(1): 1-6 ISSN-2231-5012 Original Article Liquid-liquid extraction of Rh(III) with new extractant N-decylpyridine-4-amine from malonate media. Mangal R Bagal, Mahadeo A Sakhare, Machindra K Lande, Balasaheb R Arbad* Department of chemistry, Dr. B. A. M. University, Aurangabad (M.S), 431004, India Phone: +910240 2403311; Fax: +91 0240 2403335: E-mail:abrchem9@gmail.com Received 18 November 2013; accepted 02 December 2013 Abstract The liquid-liquid extraction of rhodium(III) from malonate media with (1×10 -4 ) M N-decylpyridine-4-amine in xylene was studied as a function of different parameters, such as the concentration of extractant, acid concentration, effect of different diluents, effect of shaking period and effect of different diverse ions on extraction. The quantitative extraction of rhodium(III) was observed in the pH range 7-10. The metal ion was stripped out from organic phase with 1M hydrochloric acid and determined spectrophotometrically with SnCl 2 . As an application, the system was used for selective extraction of rh(III) from its binary mixtures, synthetic mixtures and alloys. The molar absorptivity and Sandell’s sensitivi ty of Rhodium(III)-N-decylpyridine-4-amine complex is (1.6×10 5 L mol -1 cm -1 ) and (0.050 ug cm -2 ), respectively which indicates the applicability of the method. © 2013 Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved Keywords: Solvent extraction, rhodium(III), N-decylpyridine-4-amine, synthetic mixtures. 1. Introduction Rhodium is present at about 0.001 ppm in the earth crust [1]. Precious metals comprised of the platinum group metals, gold and silver, are in extensive use for catalytic applications, electronics devices and as space materials. There is significant source of rhodium which could be used to increase supply. During the production of nuclear energy, rhodium is generated as fission product and is therefore present in the spent nuclear fuel[2]. Rhodium is one of the most expensive rare metals and purification of rhodium is almost difficult process because of its chemical behavior in chloride media [3]. Therefore, the development of a more efficient recovery process for rhodium is essential. Rhodium has been introduced in to catalytic converters, since then, approximately 73% of the world production of rhodium is consumed in the production of autocatalysts. The combination of increased industrial demand for pure platinum group metals (PGM) along with their scarcity has led to the need to maximize PGMs recovery from spent sources [4]. Various analytical techniques are available for the determination of rhodium still most of them has some drawbacks, comparatively solvent extraction technique is the most efficient method of separation technology with high simplicity, speed and applicability to both trace as well as macro amount of metal ions.N-n-octylaniline was used for the quantitative extraction of rhodium(III) from sodium malonate media [5], extraction of rhodium was carried out from bromide media in the presence of stannous chloride using cynex 471x and cynex 923 [6]. N,N’-diphenyltetra decylmalonamide (DMDPHTDMA) extracts rhodium(III) [7] and ruthenium(IV) using different concentrations of Alanine 336 in kerosene using hydrochloric acid media [8]. The commonly used extractants for rhodium(III) are EBIMTT [9], MBIMTT [10] N-n-octylaniline [11], tributylphospate [12-15], bis-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) [16-18], N,N- dialkyl-N’- benzoylthiourea, N- benzoyl - N,N’- dihexylthiourea [19], N’,N’- dihexyl and- phenyl and N’-hexyl and-phenyl derivatives of N-benzoyl- thiourea [20], N,N-dihexyl-N’-benzoylthiourea [21], mercapto acetic acid and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole [22], thiocynate [23], alkylaniline hydrochloride petroleum sulphides [24,25], calyx(4) arenes[26], kelex-100 [27,28], and 4-(non-5-yl) pyridine [29]. Though several sophisticated techniques are in use for the determination of trace and ultratrace quantities of rhodium, spectrometric technique still has the advantage in respect to simplicity and low operating costs but suffers due to matrix effects. Hence, separation and preconcentration of trace level quantities of rhodium is necessary prior to actual quantitative analysis. Literature survey reveals that many extractants are used for the separation of rhodium(III) but Available online at http://www.urpjournals.com International Journal of Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Universal Research Publications. All rights reserved