Dissolution of metals
in organic solvents is relevant to various
application fields, such as metal extraction from ores or secondary
resources, surface etching or polishing of metals, direct synthesis
of organometallic compounds, and separation of metals from other compounds.
Organic solvents for dissolution of metals can offer a solution when
aqueous systems fail, such as separation of metals from metal oxides,
because both the metal and metal oxide could codissolve in aqueous
acidic solutions. This review critically discusses organic media (conventional
molecular organic solvents, ionic liquids, deep-eutectic solvents
and supercritical carbon dioxide) for oxidative dissolution of metals
in different application areas. The reaction mechanisms of dissolution
processes are discussed for various lixiviant systems which generally
consist of oxidizing agents, chelating agents, and solvents. Different
oxidizing agents for dissolution of metals are reviewed such as halogens,
halogenated organics, donor–acceptor electron-transfer systems,
polyhalide ionic liquids, and others. Both chemical and electrochemical
processes are included. The review can guide researchers to develop
more efficient, economic, and environmentally friendly processes for
dissolution of metals in their elemental state.