The Use of Dihexyldithiocarbamate in Solvent Extraction of Transition Metals

Dialkyldithiocarbamates have long been used as chelating agents in solvent extraction of transition metals. In our previous study, an alkyl homolog of this type of ligand, namely dihexyldithiocarbamate (DHDTC), was synthesized and characterized. The use of this particular ligand in the extraction some selected transition metal ions is now reported for the first time. The effect of pH, of the metal to the ligand mole ratio, and of the variation in organic solvents, in the extraction of Fe3+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+, were investigated. Results of the experiments showed that an extractability of about 44.62%, 58.15%, and 61.69%, respectively for Ni2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ at pH 8 could be achieved. For Cu2+ and Fe3+ at pH 5 (69.96%) and pH 9 (81.29%). The metal to the ligand mole ratio for divalent transition metal, was 1:2 while trivalent was 1:3.