Method for the separation of antimony(III) from antimony(V) using polyurethane foam

Abstract

Antimony(III) and antimony(V) in solution can be separated by adjusting the pH to 9.5 and shaking with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDC) and polyurethane foam. Alternatively, the solution can be passed through a column of foam that has previously been treated with 5%m/V of NaDDC in carbon tetrachloride. The Sb(DDC)₃ complex retained by the foam can be eluted with acetone. DDC complexes of iron(III), mercury and silver are also absorbed, but are unlikely to interfere in the subsequent determination of antimony by either atomic-absorption spectrophotometry or neutronactivation analysis.