Enhancing Rare Earth Element Separation with Neutral Organic Ligands

The selective separation of rare earth elements (REEs)—including lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium—is challenging due to their similar chemical properties. Currently, the predominant method for REE separation is solvent extraction, which often involves hundreds of stages to achieve high-purity recovery of individual elements using acidic, phosphorous-based extractants. Existing libraries of organic compounds can differentiate between heavier and lighter lanthanides but fall short in selectively separating adjacent elements within the series. This presentation will detail the design of specialized ligands and the creation of tailored reactive environments aimed at achieving the precise level of specificity required for effective separation.