“…In recent years, the potential applications of phosphinic and phosphonic acids in the recovery of REEs from different aqueous solutions have received considerable attention [6] . As a significant group of extractants (cationic, anionic, solvating) for the extraction of rare earth elements, several extractants such as neutral organophosphorus esters, organophosphorus acid, and amines have been investigated; likewise, Diaminododecylphosphonic acid (DADTMTPA), Cyanex 572, Di(2‐ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (P204), di(1‐methyl‐heptyl) methyl phosphonate (P350), Cyanex 272, TBP, Cyanex 923, Cyanex 921, Cyanex 302, PC‐88A and di(2‐ethylhexyl)‐phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) [19–29] …”