Extraction Studies of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) using N,N’,N,N’-Bis[(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert butylbenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)]-ethylenediamine as a Novel Ligand

In the present study, the use of N,N’,N,N’-bis[(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)]-ethylenediamine (H2L) as ligand was evaluated in the liquid-liquid (water-chloroform) extraction of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). Experiments were carried out to determine the pH for maximum extraction for each metal ion by ligand, maximum extraction capacity, extraction kinetics and extraction selectivity. The results revealed that the extraction of metal ions is dependent on the pH: maximum extraction maximum was obtained in the pH range of 4.5 - 6.0 for Cu(II) and 8.0 - 9.0 for Zn(II). Cd(II) and Mn(II) were best extracted at pH 9.0 and Ni(II) at 10.0. The ligand H2L was effective for the extraction of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) (extraction efficient, %E ~100%), whereas %E of 76% and 23.5% were observed for Mn(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The ligand presented high selectivity for the extraction of Cu(II) at pH 4.0.