Abstract
A study of the variation of the distribution coefficients of thenoyltrifluoro-tone (HTTA) and Sm with time has been made in the synergistic system kerosine/HTTA/tributylphosphate (TBP)/dilute HNO3. The results indicate that the phenomena of antagonism or antisynergism which takes place at TBP concentrations above 0.1 M is due to the large reduction of the free HTTA-enol in the organic phase and to a much lesser extent to the reduction of the free TBP concentration in the same phase through the formation of HTTA-H2O and HTTA-H2O-TBP, respectively. Equations which allow calculation of the free HTTA-enol and free TBP are developed.