Extraction of Molybdenum(V) as its Thiocyanate Complex With 2,2'-Dipyridyl in Chloroform from Sulphuric Acid Medium

Anil K. Bishnoi1, Rameshwar Dass²*, Ashish Kumar2 and Ram G. Sharma3

¹Department of Industrial Chemistry, Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Yamuna Nagar – 135 001 (India) ²Department of Chemistry, C. C. S. University, Meerut - 250 001 (India) ³Department of Chemistry, N. A. S. College, Meerut - 250 001 (India)

A rapid and simple method for the extractive separation of molybdenum from commonly interfering elements such as Re(VII), Cr(III,VI), Cu(II), Zr(IV), Mn(II), Ni(II), Fe(II,III), W(VI), U(VI), V(V) and platinum metals using thiocyanate as a complexing agent, is described. The procedure is based on the masking of copper with thiourea and vanadium, niobium, uranium and tungsten with sodium fluoride prior to extraction of Mo(V)-SCN complex from 10 ml aqueous solution containing 1 ml of 2 M KSCN and 1 ml of 5 M H2SO4 using 2,2'-dipyridyl in CHCl3 as the extractant. Molybdenum is back-extracted from the extract with alkaline H2O2 solution. After heating the back-extract to boiling, any insoluble hydroxides or traces of co-extracted elements, are filtered off. Only oxalate, acetate, H2O2, tin, cobalt, bismuth, titanium, osmium and ruthenium interfered in the method.

Molybdenum (V); Thiocyanate complex; Chloroform; Sulphuric acid