Interfacial activity of 1-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-octane-1-one oxime and the interfacial mechanism of copper extraction

Abstract

Interfacial tension isotherms were determined for 1-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methyl-phenyl)-octane-1-one oxime in toluene/water and octane/water systems and used to predict extraction orders against hydroxyoxime for various versions of extraction mechanism. It was demonstrated that the formation of the stable 2:1 complex from the intermediate 1:1 complex and the hydroxyoxime molecule present in the aqueous layer near the interface is the slowest step. The interfacial behavior of 1-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-octane-1-one oxime is similar to those of more hydrophobic oximes, e. g., 2-hydroxy-t-alkylbenzophenone oximes.