Precipitation of selenium and tellurium from homogeneous solutions by dimethyl sulphite

Abstract

Elemental selenium and tellurium are precipitated from homogeneous solutions by employing dimethyl sulphite for the in situ production of sulphur dioxide. Results obtained show that both selenites and selenates as well as tellurites and tellurates are quantitatively reduced by this reagent. The advantages of this precipitation over the conventional precipitation procedure are outlined. Based on the different conditions under which the two elements are precipitated, a procedure for the separation of selenium and tellurium from one another is reported.