Microwave-assisted synthesis of dialkylphosphinic acids and a structure-reactivity study in rare earth metal extraction

Dialkylphosphinic acids were synthesised by a microwave-assisted method with high yields and wide substrate applicability. A structure-reactivity study indicates that an increase in steric hindrance in the beta position led to a decrease of extraction ratio and heavy rare earth element separation activity. A computational study was also conducted to understand the steric effect.