Liquid-liquid extraction of zinc(II) as its ethyl xanthate.

A method for quantitative extraction of zinc with potassium ethyl xanthate into carbon tetrachloride is described. The optimum conditions are: pH 5-6 and Zn(II) to reagent ~1:8 mole ratio. The effects of other ions on the extraction of Zn(2+) have been investigated, and its separation from As(3+), Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Fe(3+)is described. The possibility of repeated use of the solvent (still loaded with xanthate after the zinc has been stripped) for further extractions (after addition of a little extra xanthate) has been explored. Various stripping agents have been examined, and the optimum conditions found.

A novel spray reagent for phospholipid detection.

Ammonium pentachlorooxomolybdate in a solution of 7-9 N H2SO4 was found to be an excellent spray reagent for the specific detection of phospholipids on thin-layer chromatograms. It is better than the usual molybdenum blue reagent due to its greater sensitivity and its ability to eliminate the problem of the development of background blue color on prolonged exposure.