Abstract: The tertiary amine can be used to extract Fe(Ⅲ) very effectively in the pH range resulting in partial hydrolysis of Fe~(3+) ions.The iron extracted into the organic phase can be stripped rather easily with dilute H_2SO_4 or even with H_2O.Fe(Ⅲ) is extracted into the tertiary amine sulfate solution in the form of[(R_3NH)_2Fe(OH)(SO_4)_2]_2 complex by adduct formation.Equa- tion was derived to represent the chemical reactions involved during extraction.From the infrared spectrum studies on the extraction species in waxy solid form separated from the so- lution,sulfate group is a bidentate ligand to the iron atom.The extraction species has been considered to contain (FeOH)_2 unit based on the ultra violet spectra.The possible structure of the extraction species has been proposed.

Key words: tertiary amine, extraction, iron, sulfate