Abstract: The invention relates to an aliphatic-aromatic heterocyclic compound A which comprises at least two heterocyclic rings B and C, to a metal extractant composition E comprising this aliphatic-aromatic heterocyclic compound A and an organic acid D having at least one carboxylic, sulfonic, sulfuric, phosphinic, phosphonic, or phosphoric acid group, and to a process to extract one or more metals M selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co from an aqueous acidic leach solution PL comprising ions of at least one of the metals M, and further, at least one kind of further ions selected from the group consisting of Fe ions, Al ions, Cu ions, Mg ions, Mn ions, and also silicate anions, by mixing the solution PL with an extractant composition E, separating the organic and aqueous phases, and recovering the metal M from the separated organic phase.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula (I) as defined herein are useful for stabilizing spandex. Stabilized spandex compositions are obtained by intermixing spandex polymer or prepolymer with stabilizing amounts of one or more compounds of the formula (I). Preferred stabilized spandex polymer or prepolymer compositions exhibit improved color stability.