Abstract
The co-use of two neutral ligands, tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC18C6), for ion-pair extraction of divalent strontium (Sr2+) with bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide anion (Tf2N–) showed unique synergistic effect. The extracted species in use of a single ligand is Sr(TOPO)32+·2Tf2N– or Sr(DC18C6)2+·2Tf2N–, whereas the co-use resulted in extraction enhancement based on additional formation of Sr(DC18C6)(TOPO)2+·2Tf2N– and Sr(DC18C6)(TOPO)22+·2Tf2N–.