Abstract: Lithium extractant compounds having the following structure: wherein: Ra and Rb are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbon groups (R), —OR, —NRR?, —SR, —SO2R, —SO2NR2, —C(O)R, —C(O)OR, —C(O)NRR?, —C(S)OR, —C(O)SR, and —C(S)NRR?; R? is selected from R? groups, wherein R? is selected from H and R groups; X is O or OH; Y is C or N, wherein, when Y is N, then Ra is R. Also described are hydrophobic water-insoluble solutions containing at least one extractant compound of Formula (1). Also described is a method for extracting lithium from an aqueous solution by contacting the aqueous solution with the hydrophobic solution, and optional stripping of lithium from the hydrophobic solution by contacting the hydrophobic solution with an aqueous stripping solution.