Solvent Extraction Studies of Copper (II) by Capric Acid from Sodium Sulfate Solution

This work focuses on the study of the extraction of copper(II) in sulfate medium by capric acid in large range of concentration from 0.005 to 2M dissolved in chloroform at 25°C. The stoichiometry of the extracted organometallic complexes was determined by the graphical method of slopes. Copper(II) complex exists as a monomeric (mononuclear) species CuL 2 .2HL in the lower concentration range of capric acid and as a dimeric (binuclear) species (CuL 2 .HL) 2 in the higher concentration range, while both monomer and dimer were extracted, which are in equilibrium in the organic phase, at a total capric acid concentration of 0.1–0.2 M. The extraction constants for each species were determined. UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy have also been performed for the study of the ligand and their complexes. Electronic and infrared spectrum of these metallic species suggests the octahedral geometry.