US EPA

1440974 

Journal Article 

A STUDY ON THE PREPARATION OF DI(2-ETHYLHEXYL)PHOSPHORIC ACID 

Sadanandam, R; Sakhalkar, PM; Prasad, NSK 

1993 

0 

Indian Journal of Technology
ISSN: 0019-5669 

31 

3 

143-148 

WOS:A1993KQ79500007 

Di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) is used
extensively in the solvent extraction of various metals from aqueous solutions. Various methods
of preparation of D2EHPA are reviewed. The laboratory scale process development work carried out
for preparation of D2EHPA from phosphorous oxychloride and 2-ethylhexanol is described. The
effects of various process parameters like (i) mole ratio of POCl3 to 2-ethythexanol (2EHA), (ii)
order of addition of these two reagents, (iii) temperature of the reaction and (iv) use of inert
solvent on the yield and composition of crude D2EHPA are studied. The scheme of refining of crude
D2EHPA is based on (i) solubility of sodium salt of M2EHPA in 0.5 M Na2CO3 solution, (ii)
solubility of neutrals in an organic solvent and (iii) formation of stable microemulsion between
sodium salt of D2EPHA, water and an organic solvent. The performance of prepared sample of D2EHPA
and Mobil USA product in the extraction of uranium, neodymium and praseodymium from their acidic
chloride solutions are comparable.