Molecular Recognition Technology: A Green Chemistry Process for
Separation of Individual Rare Earth Metals
Steven R. Izatta*, Neil E. Izatta, Ronald L. Brueninga, Krzysztof E.
Krakowiaka, Reed M. Izatta, and Jim McKenzieb
a
IBC Advanced Technologies, Inc.
b
Ucore Rare Metals
Abstract
Separation methods for rare earth metals (REEs) are predominantly based on solvent
extraction procedures. These methods are low in metal selectivity and generate large
amounts of waste requiring large capex and opex costs. Molecular Recognition
Technology (MRT) is a much simpler green chemistry process that uses no solvents and
carries out separations with highly metal selective SuperLig© products. Minimal waste is
generated. The MRT process has been used to successfully separate all sixteen REEs (1)
from a pregnant leach solution derived from the Bokan Dotson-Ridge (Alaska) rare earth
deposit and (2) from each other. Both separations are made at the >99% level. This
paper will discuss the MRT-based REE separation results in comparison with traditional
separations technology.