Abstract: The present invention is a germanium compound having the following general formula I: ##STR1## in which n is a positive integer less than 50 when the general formula is linear and is between 3 and 50 when the general formula is cyclic, and preferably between 3 and 6, and the R radicals, which are identical or different, are chosen independently from hydrocarbyl radicals, or, the R radicals form a hydrocarbon chain optionally containing one or two heteroatoms, optionally substituted by one or more C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl radicals, which are optionally unsaturated, the compound of general formula I being, when it is linear, terminated by two radicals R.sub.3 Ge-- and R.sub.3 Ge--O-- respectively, provided that the different R radicals cannot simultaneously correspond to a methyl radical and when the general formula I is cyclic, the two radicals attach to the same germanium atom, cannot correspond to a divalent chain of the formula: ##STR2## Z.sub.1 and Z.sub.2 being chosen from methyl radicals or hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: A process for the hydrometallurgical treatment of an indium chloride solution and at least one element selected from the group consisting of tin and antimony comprises the following steps: a) adjustment of the free chloride ion content by addition of alkaline or alkaline earth chloride or a mixture thereof and of their acidity by the addition of hydrochloric acid; b) bringing said indium chloride solution into contact with an organic phase containing dry trialkyl phosphate; c) extraction of said organic phase by bringing the latter into contact with a 0.1 to 3 N hydrochloric acid solution to obtain an indium chloride solution; d) basic extraction using an alkaline metal hydroxyde. Application to extractive metallurgy and recovery of indium and accompanying elements.

Abstract: A process for selective liquid-liquid extraction of germanium from an aqueous acidic liquor containing, besides germanium, at least one other metal selected from the group which comprises cadmium, zinc, cobalt, iron, arsenic and nickel. This process includes extracting germanium from said aqueous liquor by contacting said liquor with an organic medium containing a diluent and an extractant, said diluent being immiscible with said aqueous liquor. The major part of germanium passes from said aqueous liquor to an organic phase which is subsequently submitted to a stripping step by contacting with an alkaline medium, with formation of an aqueous phase containing the major part of germanium from said aqueous liquor.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the selective dissolution of oxygenated compounds containing at least one non-ferrous metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, zinc, and copper, present in a mixture of oxygenated compounds containing said at least one non-ferrous metal and at least one element selected from the group consisting of lead, cobalt, iron, manganese, and silicon, and comprises suspending the mixture of the oxygenated metallic compounds in an aqueous phase which, preferably, contains chloride and alkaline earth metal ions; treating the resulting aqueous suspension, maintained at a pH exceeding about 1, with chlorine, preferably at a temperature ranging from about 60.degree. C. to the boiling point of the suspension, to selectively solubilize the said at least one non-ferrous metal while the said at least one element remains in an essentially insoluble residue; and separating the aqueous solution containing the dissolved said at least one non-ferrous metal from the insoluble residue.

Abstract: A process for selective liquid-liquid extraction of germanium from an aqueous acidic liquor containing, besides germanium, at least another metal selected from the group which comprises cadmium, zinc, cobalt and nickel. This process includes extracting germanium from said aqueous liquor by contacting said liquor with an organic medium containing a diluent and an extractant, said diluent being immiscible with said aqueous liquor. The major part of germanium passes from said aqueous liquor to an organic phase which is subsequently submitted to a stripping step by contacting with an alkaline medium, with formation of an aqueous phase containing the major part of germanium from said aqueous liquor.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the recovery of indium contained as an impurity in aqueous solutions in concentrations less than 1 gram per liter, by extracting indium from an aqueous solution by contacting with a first phase, which consists of a diester of phosphoric acid. The diester of phosphoric acid extracts indium in proportionally greater quantities relative to the extraction of other metals present in the aqueous solution. The extracted indium is stripped from the first phase by contacting the first phase with a stripping phase.

Abstract: A process for recovering uranium contained in phosphated solutions including the steps of contacting the solution with a diester of pyrophosphoric acid, reextracting the uranium with an alkaline solution, precipitating the uranium, acidifying and agitating the resulting product, separating the organic phase from the aqueous phase and recycling the organic phase to the initial contacting step. The precipitate is separated prior to recycling.