Process for the selective removal of molybdenum from a solution containing it

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for selectively removing molybdenum from a solution which contains molybdenum, said process comprising the following steps: bringing the solution to an acid pH lower than or equal to 3, preferably lower than or equal to 2, even more preferably lower than or equal to 0.5, by the addition of an inorganic acid; adding at least one organic solvent, preferably toluene or xylene, to the solution and stirring continuously so as to create a water-organic emulsion; adding to the water-organic emulsion at least one alkaline metal xanthate having the general formula MeRX, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl group having a number of carbon atoms higher than or equal to 2, Me is an alkaline metal selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr, and X is the xanthate group, so as to form a complex with molybdenum wherein the molar ratio molybdenum/alkaline metal xanthate ranges from 1/6 to 1/2, keeping the emulsion at an acid pH by the addition of an inorganic acid, and interrupting the stirring so as to allow the separation of the aqueous phase from the organic phase. The linear or branched alkyl group R preferably has a number of carbon atoms higher than or equal to 2 and lower than or equal to 12. A reductant is optionally added to the starting solution which comprises Mo and V.