High-Performance Extractant for Nickel-Cobalt Separation Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid CAS 83411-71-6

As global demand for battery metals and rare earths continues to rise, efficient extractants such as Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid—known commercially as C 272 or a Cyanex 272 equivalent—have become critical to modern hydrometallurgical processes.

Blit Chemical,as a leading Chinese manufacturer, offers high-purity C 272 solutions with over 1,000 MT/year production capacity, making us a trusted partner for large-scale industrial applications.

First to know what is Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (CAS 83411-71-6) C 272?

C 272 (Bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid) is an acidic organic phosphorus extractant with the molecular formula C₁₆H₃₅O₂P. It features high hydrophobicity and low water solubility, and is readily soluble in organic solvents such as kerosene and xylene.

It is widely used in cobalt-nickel separation due to its excellent selectivity: its selectivity for cobalt (Co²⁺) over nickel (Ni²⁺) is significantly higher, with a separation factor (βCo/Ni) reaching up to 2.5 × 10⁵, far exceeding that of P507 (β ≈ 700) and P204 (β ≈ 200).

Mechanism of Action:
Cobalt forms tetrahedral polymeric complexes (CoR₂) in the organic phase, whereas nickel exists as octahedral hydrated complexes. This structural difference results in the disparity of distribution coefficients between cobalt and nickel.

Acid Resistance and Stability:
C 272 remains stable within a pH range of 1 to 6 and is resistant to strong acidic environments, making it suitable for laterite nickel ore leachates, which typically contain impurities such as Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺.

Typical Application Scenarios

Hydrometallurgy

The most important application of C 272 is the separation of nickel and cobalt from laterite nickel ore and high-grade nickel concentrate：

Synergistic Extraction System for Removing Impurity Metals in Nickel and Cobalt Separation

System Composition:
A mixed system consisting of P204 (di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate),C 272 (bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl) phosphinic acid), TBP (tributyl phosphate), and sulfonated kerosene in a volume ratio of 5:15:5:75.

• P204: Selectively extracts Fe³⁺ to reduce iron-induced poisoning of C 272;
• TBP: Suppresses emulsification and enhances phase separation efficiency;
• C 272: Effectively extracts Co²⁺and Mn²⁺

Impurity Removal Performance:
After synergistic extraction, the concentrations of iron, cobalt, and manganese in the nickel sulfate solution can be reduced to below 0.0001 g/L, meeting the purity requirements for battery-grade nickel salts.

New Energy Materials

Removal of trace metal impurities in ternary precursor (NCM/NCA) production

Electronics & Semiconductor Industry

Deep extraction of heavy metals such as Cr³⁺ and Pb²⁺ from electroplating wastewater

Core Advantages of BLiT Chemical

1.Production Capacity & Reliable Delivery

Our annual production capacity exceeds 1,000 metric tons

Bulk orders (100+ tons) can reserve priority capacity

Delivery time ≤15 days for most orders

Packaging: 25kg / 180kg / 900kg drums, ISO TANKs available upon request

2.Advanced Technology & Customization Services

High-purity synthesis via nitrogen-protected catalytic addition process

Custom solutions including:

Pre-dissolved extractants in sulfonated kerosene

pH-adjusted formulations for acidic or alkaline systems

3.Full-Chain Quality Control

Each batch accompanied by a COA (Certificate of Analysis) covering:Purity, density, acid value, and flash point

Compliant with GHS standards (GHS07 pictogram)

MSDS and UN-certified transport documents provided

Why Choose Our C272?

Our C272 performance at more competitive pricing

Industrial-grade reliability with full regulatory documentation

Custom-blended extractant solutions to suit your plant conditions

Professional technical support from lab to large-scale production

Specifications & Logistics

For technical consultation and sample requirements, please contact: info@blitchem.com

BLiT Chemical is ready to support your hydrometallurgy or battery materials business with quality products, fast service, and technical confidence.