Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation and purification of platinum group metals and particularly platinum, rhodium and iridium. Essentially the platinum group metals are present as salts dissolved in an aqueous solution and the process for separating and purifying the platinum group metals comprises, according to one embodiment of the invention, the following steps:A. adjusting the pH, as necessary, to provide an acidic solution;B. contacting the acidic solution with a reducing agent to effect the reduction of iridium, that is, Ir(IV) to Ir(III);c. contacting the reduced solution with a nitrogen containing or organic compound selected from the group consisting of secondary amines, tertiary amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds;D. removing from contact with the solution an organic phase containing substantially all of the platinum present in association with the nitrogen-containing organic compound used in step (c);E.