Extraction of antimony by a copper chloride extractant

Acorga CLX50, a product of Imperial Chemical Industries, is an extractant for cupric chloride. It also extracts a minor amount of antimony as an impurity during extraction of copper from chloride solutions. Behaviors of antimony extraction by CLX50 are investigated in this study. Stability of various antimony species is examined through establishment of Eh–pH and Eh–log[Cl−] diagrams. Slope analysis reveals that two moles of CLX50 react with one mole of antimony species. Acidity affects the antimony extraction differently at different acidity ranges, due to different reactions involved in the extraction. Effect of chloride ion on extraction of antimony and the linear relationship between copper extraction and antimony extraction are explained quantitatively.