Di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (HDEHP) is an extractant with wide applications. Through the investigation of the typical extractant systems by FT-IR and photon correlation spectroscopy and measurements of the composition and water content in the extracted organic phase
the results showed that iron (Ⅲ) was extracted mainly in unhydrated form. The extraction of iron(Ⅲ) with HDEHP was through the formation of reverse micelle in the organic phase. HDEHP in an inert solvent was in dimer form H2A2 and it probably would be converted to monomer form during extraction. The stripping of iron(Ⅲ) in the organic phase with high concentration sulfuric acid was through a process of destruction of the reverse micelle formed during ex-traction.