Component Analysis of the Commercial Metal Extractant, Cyanex 302®, by GC–MS

Abstract

The composition of the commercial reagent Cyanex 302 ® was investigated by GC-MS. Mass spectrometric studies allowed us to confirm that bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid is the major compound and that a considerable amount of tris(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide is also present. The study also revealed that the extractant has three minor components. These were identified as bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid, bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide and bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid. The mass spectra of these compounds are discussed and some fragmentation processes are postulated.

Determination of the Degradation Compounds Formed by the Oxidation of Thiophosphinic Acids and Phosphine Sulfides with Nitric Acid

“…The identity of the compounds present in Cyanex 302 ® has been reported previously. 10 The main identified compounds are included in the figures whereas the minor ones are listed in the caption of Fig. 2.…”

“…This compound shows the same fragmentation pattern as tris(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphine oxide (R3PO), which has been discussed in a previous paper. 10 This compound can be recognized by the base peak at m/z = 92, which could be formulated as [ (CH3) …”