A specific method for the separation of rhenium by anion exchange chromatography

Abstract A systematic survey of the adsorbabilities of cations with a strong base type resin, Dowex 1, X-8, in a thiocyanate—hydrochloric acid system indicates that the difference between the distribution coefficient of Re(VII) and those of a considerable number of other ions is large enough for good separation. This fact provides the means of developing an anion exchange chromatographic procedure for the separation of Re(VII) from other ions. Re(VII) is eluted with 0.5 M NH 4 SCN−0.5 alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earths, Y (III), Cr(III), Al(III), AS(III) and Ge(VI) are eluted earlier in the effluent from the sample solution. Ions forming thiocyanate complexes such as Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), Cu(II), In(III), Ga(III), Sn(IV), V(V), SB(III), SB(V), Bi(III), W(VI), Fe(III), Co(II), Ru(III) and (VI), are retained on the column. An effective eluting system for these ions is also given. Separations of Re(VII) from 38 metal ions are reported.