Microwave-assisted synthesis of dialkylphosphinic acids and a structure–reactivity study in rare earth metal extraction

Abstract

Dialkylphosphinic acids were synthesised by a microwave-assisted method with high yields and wide substrate applicability. A structure–reactivity study indicates that an increase in steric hindrance in the β position led to a decrease of extraction ratio and heavy rare earth element separation activity. A computational study was also conducted to understand the steric effect.