“…Liquid–liquid extraction is one of the most popular methods for separation and purification of rare earth elements (REEs). A list of the most widely used extractants for transferring REEs from aqueous solutions to the organic phase is given in the review by Xie et al The organic derivatives of phosphoric acid are highly demanded reagents for intra- and intergroup separation of REEs; di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA, C 16 H 35 PO 4 , HA) is one of the most promising of these compounds. − Because of its high viscosity, D2EHPA is used in practice by mixing with an organic diluent. Zikovsky studied the effect of diluents on REEs extraction with D2EHPA and reported that the recovery was enhanced according to the following order of diluents: heptane, cyclohexane, butyl ether, carbon tetrachloride, toluene, xylene, nitrobenzene, bromoform, chlorobenzene, benzene, hexane, dichloromethane, and chloroform .…”