Abstract: Lanthanide complexing molecules having the following structure: wherein: R1, R2, R4, and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen atom, alkyl groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms, and hydrophilic groups containing at least one oxygen atom; R3 and R6 are independently selected from hydrogen atom, alkyl groups containing 1-3 carbon atoms, and hydrophilic groups containing at least one oxygen atom; and Ra and Rb are independently selected from hydrogen atom, methyl group, halogen atoms, and hydrophilic groups containing at least one oxygen atom; wherein at least two of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Ra, and Rb are said hydrophilic groups. Also described is a method of separating adjacent lanthanides by use of a two-phase extractant system that includes (i) an acidic aqueous solution containing the lanthanide complexing molecule (1) along with a mixture of at least two lanthanides, and (ii) an aqueous-insoluble hydrophobic solution containing a lipophilic lanthanide extractant compound.

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.