Synthesis of 2-hydroxy-5-nonylbenzophenone (E)-oxime (HNBPO), a reagent especially used for extraction of nonferrous metals from aqueous solutions comprises a two-step sequence using 4-nonylphenol and benzotrichloride as raw materials. 4-Nonylphenol reacts with benzotrichloride in a biphasic aqueous alkaline system at 100-degrees-C in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) to form 2-hydroxy-5-nonylbenzophenone (HNBP). Higher temperature and PTC promote the reaction rate and facilitate C-benzoylation regioselectively. The overall conversion of HNBP is found to be 73% at 100-degrees-C in the presence of triethylbenzylammonium chloride (TEBA). Oximation of HNBP affords the desired benzophenone oxime. Purification and isolation of (E)-HNBPO is achieved via its copper complex method, and the purified (E)-HNBPO is characterized through its spectral data. The oxime is then evaluated in order to study its various metallurgical properties.