The main objective of the present review is to provide an overview on the synergistic solvent extraction of lanthanoids, in particularly on the use of β-diketone/calixarene i.e. acidic/neutral mixture, as well as the analysis of data hitherto reported in this scientific topic. Based on the previously presented results, the extraction efficiency has been careful examined and discussed mainly in terms of the corresponding equilibrium constants among other outlined extraction parameters. Furthermore, the evaluation of the chelating ligand structures and pK_a values are emphasized. Major conclusions on the role of calixarene's ligating groups towards the mechanism, the improved extraction enhancement and selectivity are additionally provided. Consequently, it is very important that the obtained remarkable architecture of the formed complexes with very high coordination numbers (10/12) including a few cyclic molecules is in accordance with the well-established principles of coordination 4f-ion chemistry. Finally, a critical analysis of the lanthanoid intra-group selectivity (light/middle, heavy/middle and light/heavy 4f-ion pairs) versus the extraction performance of the acidic/neutral combinations and, on the other hand, the nature of the water-immiscible molecular or ionic diluent used have also been carried out and are here presented and critically addressed.

Five lanthanoid ions were extracted with 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(4-trifluoromethylbenzoyl)-pyrazol-5-one alone and in combination with partially substituted calix[4]arenes as synergistic agents using CHCl ₃ and one IL.

The target of the review is to provide an overview on the possible interaction between the two ligands during synergistic solvent extraction of metallic species.

The solvent extraction of the lanthanide(III) ions (without Pm) with a 4‐benzoyl‐3‐phenyl‐5‐isoxazolone(HPBI) alone and in the presence of the quaternary ammonium salt Aliquat 336 in perchlorate form (QClO₄) in C₆H₆ was investigated by the slope analysis method. The composition of the extracted species was determined as Ln(PBI)₃ and Q[Ln(PBI)₄] (Q⁺ is the quaternary ammonium salt cation). The values of the equilibrium constant were calculated. Synergistic effects were found for all lanthanide metals when they were extracted with a binary mixture of HPBI and QClO₄. The influence of the synergistic agent on the extraction process has been discussed. The parameters of the extraction process were determined. The separation factors between adjacent metals were evaluated.