A product, in accordance with one embodiment, includes at least one polyoxometalate in at least an effective amount that, when combined with a solution comprising a solvent and at least two elements selected from the group consisting of: scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), one or more lanthanides, and one or more actinides, forms complexes with at least one of the elements. The product also includes a cation in at least an effective amount that when combined with the solution having the at least one polyoxometalate therein, causes precipitation of at least some of the complexes of one of the elements such that substantially all of another of the elements remains in the solution during precipitation.

A product, in accordance with one embodiment, includes at least one polyoxometalate in at least an effective amount that, when combined with a solution comprising a solvent and at least two elements selected from the group consisting of: scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), one or more lanthanides, and one or more actinides, forms complexes with at least one of the elements. The product also includes a cation in at least an effective amount that when combined with the solution having the at least one polyoxometalate therein, causes precipitation of at least some of the complexes of one of the elements such that substantially all of another of the elements remains in the solution during precipitation.