Metal extraction with a short-chain imidazolium nitrate ionic liquid

A short-chain symmetrical dihexyl imidazolium nitrate ionic liquid for conventional solvent extraction of metals was developed. Rare earths were found to be preferentially extracted over 1st row transition metals leading to the application of the ionic liquid system for separation of the Sm(III)/Co(II) and La(III)/Ni(II) pairs, which are relevant for the recycling of SmCo magnets and NiMH batteries.