A bio-derived lipophilic β-diketone (14,16-hentriacontanedione) was isolated from wheat straw wax and tested in the liquid biphasic removal of Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+ and Cr3+ in comparison to dibenzoylmethane and acetylacetone. The bio-derived β-diketone exhibited excellent capacity for metal ions extraction from aqueous solutions.
