Thin-layer chromatographic separation of scandium, yttrium, the rare earths, thorium and uraniuin(VI).

The Chromatographic behaviour of scandium, yttrium, the rare earths, thorium and uranium(VI) in dioxan-hydrochloric acid and dioxan-nitric acid media on a plain cellulose thin layer has been investigated. The following separations are possible: scandium-yttrium-lanthanum, scandium-samarium-thorium, scandium-lanthanum-lutetium, yttrium-lanthanum-thorium, and lutetium-thorium-uranium(VI) with dioxan-12M hydrochloric acid (7:3) and scandium-samarium-thorium, scandium-yttrium-uranium(VI), lutetium-thorium, and scandium-lanthanum-thorium with dioxan-14M nitric acid (7:3). A single chromogenic spray (Arsenazo III) has been used for the detection of all the metal ions studied.