A method of extracting a rare earth metal from a mixture of one or more rare earth metals and a composition thereof

Abstract

A method for extracting a rare earth metal from a mixture of one or more rare earth metals, said method comprising contacting an acidic solution of the rare earth metal with a composition which comprises an ionic liquid to form an aqueous phase and a non-aqueous phase into which the rare earth metal has been selectively extracted, wherein the ionic liquid has the formula [Cat+ ][X], where [X] represents a phosphinate anion.