Solvent extraction is the most important method used to separate rare earth elements from natural or anthropogenic mixtures. It is of interest to develop new methods to separate rare earths, especially targeted methods for recycling, in the face of initial and ongoing costs associated with countercurrent solvent extraction methods. The important aspects of separating targeted mixtures include cost, speed and simplicity. We have been developing structural chemistry and tailored ligands for rare earth metal cations in efforts to demonstrate targeted separations based on simple equilibria. We have prepared multi-dentate hydroxylamines as superior ligands for exploring such chemistry. A tripodal ligand, H<sub>3</sub>TriNOx, and its complexes RE(TriNOx)(THF), RE = La–Lu and Y, demonstrated a noteworthy solubility dependence. These observations afforded a new method approach separating RE elements. Variation of the coordination chemistry in this framework is expected to improve the targeted separations of technologically important rare earth elements.

Coordination chemistry of rare earth elements to address problems in their separations and sustainability

254th National Meeting (2017)

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