| A novel copper extractant 5-decylsalicylaldoxime is synthesized with the use of a cheap mixture by-product, 5-decylsalicylaldoxime, from the petrochemical industry. The optimal condition is, n(decylphenol):n(magnesium):n(paraformaldehyde)=1:0.65:2.8, reaction time 5h for the formylation reaction and n(decylphenol):n(hydroxylamine hydrochloride)=1:1, reaction time 1h for the oximation reaction. Under this condition, the yield of the desired product reaches to 75.9% (based on decylphenol) with 99.0% purity (determined by GC). The structure is elucidated by MS, NMR and EA analysis. It is indicated by the comparison with the M5640 and M5774 that the extraction performance of the product is of high copper load capability (6.36 g/L), good copper selectivity over iron (β[Cu/Fe]?=1340), the extracting and stripping balance time are short, the extracting rate is more than 98% and the stripping extracting rate is more than90% through only one stage. |