SOLVENT-EXTRACTION OF TETRAVALENT SELENIUM

A systematic study has been carried out on the extraction of SeI4, by various water-immiscible organic solvents. Extraction has been investigated as a function of H2SO4 and KI concentrations. It has been found that the Se(IV) extraction is appreciably increased by addition of iodide ion to sulphuric acid solutions. In addition, the presence of water-miscible alcohols and acetone was found to enhance Se(IV) extraction from H2SO4-KI solutions. In the light of the obtained results an extraction mechanism is suggested.