Abstract: Solvent extraction of trivalent lanthanides (except for Pm with Cyanex 302 [Bis (2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)monothiophosphinic acid] in heptane was studied at various aqueous pH values, extractant concentrations and different temperatures. Cyanex 302 shows pretty good behaviours on the extraction of lanthanides, especially when extracting heavy lanthanides. However,purified Cyanex 302 exhibits signi ficantly lower extractability to lanthanides than raw extractant. The roles ofdifferent components ofraw Cyanex 302 were discussed to understand the reason of good extractability of the raw extractant. The lanthanides extraction stoichiometry is discussed on the basis ofexperimental results, which can be expressed as follows:

Key words: Bis(2, 4-trimethylpentyl) monothio phos phinic acid, lanthanide, extraction equilibrium