Information: Scandium
Known Methods of Extraction
Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Scandium (Sc, atomic number 21).** Scandium is a **rare earth metal** and extremely **scarce in the Earth’s crust** (\~22 ppm). It is never found free in nature, usually present as trace amounts in **aluminum ores (bauxite), rare earth minerals (thortveitite), and uranium ores.** Extraction is complex and involves **separation from other metals**. Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Scandium**: --- # **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Scandium** ### **A. Industrial / Large-Scale Extraction** 1. **Extraction from Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) via Acid Leaching** – Most common modern source; leach Sc³⁺ with HCl/H₂SO₄. 2. **Extraction from Uranium Ores** – Scandium is a minor byproduct; acid leaching of uranium tailings. 3. **Extraction from Rare Earth Ores (Thortveitite, Euxenite, Gadolinite)** – Acid treatment dissolves scandium for separation. 4. **Solvent Extraction from Leach Liquors** – Uses organophosphorus reagents (e.g., D2EHPA) to separate Sc³⁺. 5. **Ion Exchange Chromatography** – Separates Sc³⁺ from other rare earths or impurities. 6. **Precipitation as Scandium Oxalate (Sc₂(C₂O₄)₃)** – From leach solutions; later calcined to Sc₂O₃. --- ### **B. Reduction to Metallic Scandium** 7. **Electrolytic Reduction of ScCl₃ in Molten Salt** – Produces metallic scandium. 8. **Thermal Reduction of Sc₂O₃ with Calcium** – Common lab-scale metallothermic reduction. 9. **Reduction of ScF₃ with Calcium or Aluminum** – Produces Sc metal. 10. **Reduction of ScCl₃ with Alkali Metals (K or Na)** – Rare lab method. 11. **Magnesiothermic Reduction of Sc₂O₃** – Experimental high-purity lab method. 12. **Aluminothermic Reduction of Sc₂O₃** – Produces scandium metal + alumina byproduct. --- ### **C. Specialized / Experimental Methods** 13. **Scandium Recovery from Spent Titanium or Aluminum Alloys** – Recycling of Sc-containing alloys. 14. **Electrochemical Reduction in Ionic Liquids** – Low-temperature lab method. 15. **Solvent Extraction from Molten Salt Electrolytes** – Research method for high-purity Sc. 16. **Precipitation from Hydroxide (Sc(OH)₃) and Calcination** – Produces Sc₂O₃ as intermediate. 17. **Precipitation with Sodium Carbonate (Sc₂(CO₃)₃)** – Alternative separation step. 18. **Extraction from Rare Earth Chlorides via Chlorination** – Lab-scale selective separation. 19. **Ion-Exchange Resin Purification** – Further purification of scandium from mixed rare earth streams. 20. **Plasma Reduction of Scandium Oxide** – Experimental method for ultrahigh purity metallic Sc. --- ✅ **Summary:** * **Main sources today:** Bauxite residue (red mud), rare earth ores, uranium tailings. * **Primary industrial separation:** Acid leaching + solvent extraction or ion exchange → Sc₂O₃ → reduction to metal. * **Metallic scandium:** Produced via **calciothermic or electrolytic reduction of Sc₂O₃ or ScCl₃**. * **Rarity:** High cost due to scarcity and complex extraction process; mostly used in **aluminum-scandium alloys** and **specialty electronics**. --- Next in periodic order is **Titanium (Ti, atomic number 22).** Do you want me to continue with **20 extraction methods for Titanium**?