Complexation Studies of Bidentate Heterocyclic N-Donor Ligands with Nd(III) and Am(III)

A new bidentate nitrogen donor complexing agent that combines pyridine and triazole functional groups, 2-((4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl)pyridine (PTMP), has been synthesized. The strength of its complexes with trivalent americium (Am³⁺) and neodymium (Nd³⁺) in anhydrous methanol has been evaluated using spectrophotometric techniques. The purpose of this investigation is to assess this ligand (as representative of a class of similarly structured species) as a possible model compound for the challenging separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides. This separation, important in the development of advanced nuclear fuel cycles, is best achieved through the agency of multidentate chelating agents containing some number of nitrogen or sulfur donor groups. To evaluate the relative strength of the bidentate complexes, the derived constants are compared to those of the same metal ions with 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and 2-pyridin-2-yl-1H-benzimidazole (PBIm). At issue is the relative affinity of the triazole moiety for trivalent f element ions. For all ligands, the derived stability constants are higher for Am³⁺ than Nd³⁺. In the case of Am³⁺ complexes with phen and PBIm, the presence of 1:2 (AmL₂) species is indicated. Possible separations are suggested based on the relative stability and stoichiometry of the Am³⁺ and Nd³⁺ complexes. It can be noted that the 1,2,3-triazolyl group imparts a potentially useful selectivity for trivalent actinides (An(III)) over trivalent lanthanides (Ln(III)), though the attainment of higher complex stoichiometries in actinide compared with lanthanide complexes may be an important driver for developing successful separations.     

Expansion of the Na3MIII(Ln/An)6F30 Series: Incorporation of Plutonium into a Highly Robust and Stable Framework

Na_nMAn₆F₃₀ is an extremely versatile framework structure for incorporating tetravalent actinides (An) and cerium along with divalent or trivalent d-metals (M); moreover, the structure exhibits a high resistance to harsh chemical conditions. This extreme robustness can potentially be exploited for the sequestration of plutonium in a stable matrix; however, no Na_nMPu₆F₃₀ compounds have been reported so far. Herein, we present four new plutonium fluorides that have been prepared as single crystals by mild hydrothermal synthesis methods. Structural characterizations revealed their compositions to be Na₃AlPu₆F₃₀, Na₃FePu₆F₃₀, Na₃CoPu₆F₃₀, and Na_2.4Mn_1.6Pu₆F₃₀. Surprisingly, in the plutonium series, it was found that Co²⁺ and Mn²⁺ precursors oxidized to form Na₃Co^IIIPu₆F₃₀ and Na_2.4Mn^II/III_1.6Pu₆F₃₀, whereas the analogous reactions for cerium result in reduction of the transition metal, even when beginning with a M³⁺ precursor. While cerium is often used as a surrogate for plutonium, this work serves as an example that deviations between their chemistries do occur.     

Thermodynamics of dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid (HD)

The effect of temperature on the extraction of the trivalent actinides Am³⁺, Cm³⁺ and Cf³⁺ with the liquid cation exchanger dinonylnaphthalenesulphonic acid (HD) in toluene is studied. The different thermodynamic functions of this system are determined from the experimental results. It is found that the free energy variation for the extraction of these metal ions by HD is mainly determined by the entropic terms arising from the hydration-dehydration process of the exchanged ions.     

The unusual extraction behavior of americium(III) and dioxouranium(VI) from picric acid medium using neutral oxodonors II. A thermodynamic study

The role of temperature on the distribution of Am³⁺ and UO₂ ²⁺ was investigated in the extraction systems involving TBP and DOSO as the neutral oxodonors and picrate as the organophilic counter anion. The inner-sphere water molecules and their substitution by the oxodonor molecules appeared to influence the extraction constants of these metal ions. The conditional extraction constants for Am³⁺ were found to be larger (about 3 order of magnitude) than those for UO₂ ²⁺. From the thermodynamics data it appeared that both TBP as well as DOSO bind Am³⁺ ion through outer-sphere coordination. In presence of 1M NaCl, though the interaction with TBP remains unaltered DOSO tend to form an inner-sphere complex. On the other hand, UO₂ ²⁺ forms inner-sphere complexes with DOSO and outer-sphere complex with TBP in the absence of salt. In the presence of 1M NaCl, both TBP and DOSO form inner-sphere complexes. The effect of ionic strength on metal ion extraction was also investigated. For Part I see Ref. 9.     

Structure and properties of 2,2-dihydroxymalonates of trivalent Y, lanthanides, Pu and Am

The M-O bond lengths in the lanthanide series show a well-known behaviour due to lanthanide contraction, including so-called “gadolinium break”. All three bond lengths show a good linear correlation with Shannon ionic radii for Y³⁺ and Ln³⁺ ions with coordination number 9. Nevertheless, the slopes of these dependences are different (0.957(16) for OH-groups, 0.85(2) for carboxylate groups and 1.080(17) for water molecules) and differ from unity due to a layer nature of the structures. The ionic radii for Pu³⁺ and Am³⁺ with coordination number 9 are absent in the Shannon system of ionic radii. From our data, we can propose the values 1.172 and 1.156 Å for Pu³⁺, and Am³⁺, respectively. In all crystals the structure is stabilized through extensive hydrogen bonding involving carboxylic and hydroxyl groups and water molecules.     

Pore-functionalized polymer membranes for preconcentration of heavy metal ions

Functionalized membranes containing carboxylate, phosphate and sulfonate groups were prepared by UV-initiator induced graft polymerization of the functional monomer (acrylic acid, ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate (EGMP) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid) with a crosslinker (methylenebisacrylamide) in the pores of poly(propylene) host membranes. The functionalized membranes thus obtained were characterized by gravimetry, FTIR spectroscopy, radiotracers and scanning electron microscopy for the degree of grafting and water uptake, presence of functional groups, ion-exchange capacity, and physical structure of the membranes, respectively. The uptakes of Cs⁺, Ag⁺, Sr²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Eu³⁺, Am³⁺, Hf⁴⁺ and Pu⁴⁺ ions in the functionalized membranes were studied as a function of acidity of the equilibrating aqueous solution. Among the functionalized membranes prepared in the present work, the EGMP-grafted membrane (with phosphate groups) showed acid concentration dependent selectivity towards multivalent metal ions like Eu³⁺, Am³⁺, Hf⁴⁺ and Pu⁴⁺. The solvent extraction studies of EGMP monomer in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) solvent indicated that divalent and trivalent metal ions form complexes with EGMP in 1:2 proportion, but the distribution coefficients of trivalent metal ions were significantly higher that for the divalent ions. The uptakes of Eu³⁺ ions in monomeric EGMP (dissolved in MIBK) and polymeric EGMP (in the forms of crosslinked gel and membrane) were studied as a function of concentration of H⁺ ions in the equilibrating solution. This study indicated that polymeric EGMP has better binding ability towards Eu³⁺ as compared to monomeric EGMP. The variation of distribution coefficients of Eu³⁺/Am³⁺ in gel and membrane as a function of H⁺ ion concentration in the equilibrating aqueous solution indicated that ionic species held in the membrane and gel were not same. These results indicated that proximity of functional groups (phosphate) plays an important role in metal ion binding with polymeric EGMP.     

Nitric acid transport across TBP—Kerosene oil supported liquid membranes

HNO₃ transport across tri-n-butyl phosphate kerosene oil supported liquid membrane with or without uranyl ion transport has been studied. Parameters studied are the effect of TBP in the membrane, nitric acid in the feed solution and nitrate ion concentration in the feed solution. The flux of protons for 1 to 10 mol·dm^–3 HNO₃ solution is in the range of (0–25)·10^–4 mol·m^–2·s^–1 and for the TBP concentration range of 0.359 to 3.59 mol·dm^–3, the flux determined is (8.9 to 22)·10^–4 mol·m^–2·s^–1. From the experimental data and using theoretical equations the complex under transport through the membrane appears to be 2TBP·HNO₃ both in the presence and absence of uranyl ions. The diffusion coefficient for H⁺ ions through the membrane as a function of TBP concentration varies from (53 to 6)·10^–12 m²·s^–1, based on experimental flux and permeability data. The values of this coefficient supposing 2TBP·HNO₃ as diffusing species, based on viscosity data and theoretical estimation varies from (82.50 to 3.30)·10^–12 m²·s^–1. The value of distribution coefficient varies in the reverse direction from 0.06 to 1.46 at the same TBP concentration.     

Simultaneous recovery of plutonium and americium from assorted analytical waste solutions using extraction chromatography

A rapid extraction chromatography based methodology was developed for simultaneous recovery of plutonium and americium from various kinds of analytical waste obtained during chemical quality control of plutonium based nuclear materials using sulphonic acid based actinide? resin. Efforts were made to understand the effect of initial feed acidity, gamma radiation and the concentrations of Am³⁺ and Pu⁴⁺ on their k _d. values. Processing of assorted analytical waste solutions through this method revealed that more than 95 % of Am³⁺ and 90 % of Pu⁴⁺ were adsorbed on the resin while iso- propanol can be successfully employed for the quantitative recovery of both the actinides from the loaded resin phase.     

Estimating the Gibbs Hydration Energies of Actinium and Trans-Plutonium Actinides

The use of actinides for medical, scientific and technological purposes has gained momentum in the recent years. This creates a need to understand their interactions with biomolecules, both at the interface and as they become complexed. Calculation of the Gibbs binding energies of the ions to biomolecules, i. e., the Gibbs energy change associated with a transfer of an ion from the water phase to its binding site, could help to understand the actinides’ toxicities and to design agents that bind them with high affinities. To this end, there is a need to obtain accurate reference values for actinide hydration, that for most actinides are not available from experiment. In this study, a set of ionic radii is developed that enables future calculations of binding energies for Pu³⁺ and five actinides with renewed scientific and technological interest: Ac³⁺, Am³⁺, Cm³⁺, Bk³⁺ and Cf³⁺. Reference hydration energies were calculated using quantum chemistry and ion solvation theory and agree well for all ions except Ac³⁺, where ion solvation theory seems to underestimate the magnitude of the Gibbs hydration energy. The set of radii and reference energies that are presented here provide means to calculate binding energies for actinides and biomolecules.     

Highly Efficient Diglycolamide‐Based Task‐Specific Ionic Liquids: Synthesis,Unusual Extraction Behaviour,Irradiation, and Fluorescence Studies

Two new diglycolamide‐based task‐specific ionic liquids (DGA? TSILs) were evaluated for the extraction of actinides and lanthanides from acidic feed solutions. These DGA? TSILs were capable of exceptionally high extraction of trivalent actinide ions, such as Am³⁺, and even higher extraction of the lanthanide ion, Eu³⁺ (about 5–10 fold). Dilution of the DGA? TSILs in an ionic liquid, C₄mim⁺ ? NTf₂^?, afforded reasonably high extraction ability, faster mass transfer, and more efficient stripping of the metal ion. The nature of the extracted species was studied by slope analysis, which showed that the extracted species contained one NO₃^? anion, along with the participation of two DGA? TSIL molecules. Time‐resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) analysis showed a strong complexation with no inner‐sphere water molecule in the Eu^III? DGA? TSIL complexes in the presence and absence of C₄mim⁺ ? NTf₂^? as the diluent. The very high radiolytic stability of DGA? TSIL 6 makes it one of the most‐efficient solvent systems for the extraction of actinides under acidic feed conditions.     

Coordination of Actinide Single Ions to Deformed Graphdiyne: Strategy on Essential Separation Processes in Nuclear Fuel Cycle

The coordination of actinides and lanthanides, as well as strontium and cesium with graphdiyne (GDY) was studied experimentally and theoretically. On the basis of experimental results and/or theoretical calculations, it was suggested that Th⁴⁺, Pu⁴⁺, Am³⁺, Cm³⁺, and Cs⁺ exist in single‐ion states on the special triangular structure of GDY with various coordination patterns, wherein GDY itself is deformed in different ways. Both experiment and theoretical calculations strongly indicate that UO₂²⁺, La³⁺, Eu³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Sr²⁺ are not adsorbed by GDY at all. The distinguished adsorption behaviors of GDY afford an important strategy for highly selective separation of actinides and lanthanides, Th⁴⁺ and UO₂²⁺, and Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺, in the nuclear fuel cycle. Also, the present work sheds light on an approach to explore the unique functions and physicochemical properties of actinides in single‐ion states.     

Extraction and extraction chromatographic separation of minor actinides from sulphate bearing high level waste solutions using CMPO

Bench-Scale studies on the partitioning and recovery of minoractinides from the actual and synthetic sulphate-bearing high level waste (SBHLW) solutions have been carried out by giving two contacts with 30% TBP to deplete uranium content followed by four contacts with 0.2M CMPO+1.2M TBP in dodecane. The acidity of the SBHLW solutions was about 0.3M. In the case of actual SBHLW, the final raffinate contained about 0.4% -activity originally present in the HLW, whereas with synthetic SBHLW the -activity was reduced to the background level.¹⁴⁴Ce is extracted almost quantitative in the CMPO phase,¹⁰⁶Ru about 12% and¹³⁷Cs is practically not extracted at all. The extraction chromatographic column studies with synthetic SBHLW (aftertwo TBP contacts) has shown that large volume of waste solutions could be passed through the column without break-through of actinide metal ions. Using 0.04M HNO₃>99% Am(III) and rare earths could be eluted/stripped. Similarly >99% Pu(IV) and U(VI) could be eluted.stripped using 0.01M oxalic acid and 0.25M sodium carbonate, respectively. In the presence of 0.16M SO ₄ ^2– (in the SBHLW) the complex ions AmSO ₄ ⁺ , UO₂SO₄, PuSO ₄ ²⁺ and Pu(SO₄)₂ were formed in the aqueous phase but the species extracted into the organic phase (CMPO+TBP) were only the nitrato complexes Am(NO₃)₃·3CMPO, UO₂(NO₃)₂·2CMPO and Pu(NO₃)₄·2CMPO. A scheme for the recovery of minor actinides from SBHLW solution with two contacts of 30% TBP followed by either solvent extraction or extraction chromatographic techniques has been proposed.     

Stability constants of the aqueous mono-fluoride complexes of Pu(III) and Am(III) and their correlation with other metal ions

The stability constants of the aqueous mono-fluoride complexes of Pu(III) and Am(III) have been measured using the distribution method. A correlation of the available stability constants of fluoride complexes of trivalent actinides, up to Cf, with fundamental properties like charge and radii of the metal ion has been discussed. Good correlation within the group and as a part of other metal ions was obtained only for transplutonium elements. The reported stability constant values measured by potentiometry and the value obtained by distribution for Pu³⁺ appear to be much higher than expected from this correlation. However, a better correlation was obtained with transplutonium elements when effective charge instead of formal charge was considered for Pu³⁺ in the BSE function.     

Composition and structure of zirconium complexes in tributyl phosphate extracts of Zr from concentrated nitric acid solutions

Using quantitative difference IR spectroscopy we have found that the tibutyl phosphate & acts of zirconium from 12–15 M HN03 contain ionic associates [(TBP)₂H⁺]Zr(NO₃)₅ ^– (I) and [TBP· H₃0⁺ (H₂0)_n]Zr(N0₃)₅ ^– (II), where n = 1, 2, as well as the Zr(N0₃)₄(TBP)₂ complex at a lower concentration than (I) and (I.). The equilibrium I II is shifted toward II at higher C_{HNo 3} ⁰ and lower c_Zr ⁰. The structure of associates I and II is discussed.Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, D. I. Mendeleev Moscow Chemical Technological Institute. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 34, No. 5, pp. 80–89, September–October, 1993.Translated by L. Smolina     

Self-diffusion coefficients and structure of the trivalent transplutonium ion curium and gadolinium in aqueous solution

Self-diffusion coefficients D of the trivalent aquo ion Cm³⁺ have been determined in aqueous Nd(ClO₄)₃?HClO₄ solutions (pH 2.5) at 25°C, by the open-end capillary method (O. E. C. M.). The variation of D versus the square root of the concentration of inactive solution is an exponential form in the studied range of concentration. The limiting value D₀ at zero ionic strength is 6.0·10^?6 cm²·s^?1. The curve \(D = f(\sqrt c )\) relating to Cm³⁺ can be compared to those of²⁴¹Am³⁺ and¹⁵³Gd³⁺ obtained under similar conditions. We find a similar ionic structure of Cm³⁺ with Am³⁺ and Gd³⁺. They have the same hydration as a tripositive of 5f and 4f ions in the absence of hydrolysis, complexing, or pairing at pH 2.5. The present study contributes to show the analogy of the solvation structure of trivalent actinide ions in aqueous solution at pH 2.5 with that of the trivalent lanthanide ions as a help for predicting the thermodynamic properties.     

Scalar Relativistic Density Functional Theoretical Investigation of Higher Complexation Ability of Substituted 1,10‐Phenanthroline over Bipyridine Towards Am3+/Eu3+ Ions

The better selectivity of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ ion with N‐based CyMe4‐BTPhen compared to CyMe4‐BTBP for experimentally observed [ML₂(NO₃)]²⁺ complexes was demonstrated using scalar relativistic DFT in conjunction with Born‐Haber thermodynamic cycle and COSMO solvation model. The calculated free energy of extraction, ΔG_ext reveals strong dependence on the hydration free energies of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions and week dependence to the difference in Gibbs free energy of solvation of the ligand or metal‐ligand complexes. Further, for the first time, we have computed the effect of co‐anion species ([M(NO₃)₅]^2–) on ΔG_ext of Am³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions with CyMe4‐BTPhen and CyMe4‐BTBP, which adds a positive contribution and thus reduces the ΔG_ext. The calculated values of ΔΔΔG_ext (= ΔΔG_ext,L1 – ΔΔG_ext,L2, ΔΔG_ext = ΔG_ext,M1 – ΔG_ext,M2) can be used to avoid the very sensitive metal ion solvation energy, effect of co‐anionic species and thus provides a robust approach to determine the selectivity between two metal ions towards different competitive ligands. The natural population analysis (NPA), molecular orbital analysis, Mayer bond order analysis, and bond character analysis using Bader's quantum theory of atoms in molecules indicates slightly more covalency for complexes of Am³⁺ ion that are correlated to the experiental selectvity of Am³⁺ ion over Eu³⁺ ion and hence might be useful in the design and development of next generation extractants.     

Electronic structure,geometry, and stability of organic cations,dications, and donor-acceptor complexes

Geometric, electronic, and energy characteristics of the complexes formed in the CF₄ ·nAIF₃ (n = I or 2) and CBr₄ ·nAIBr₃ (n = 1, 2, or 4) systems have been determined by the semiempirical AM I method. Besides the donor-acceptor complexes, the CBr₃ ⁺...AIBr₄ ^–, CBr₃ ⁺...Al₂Br₇ ^–, CBr2²⁺...(AlBr₄ ^–)₂, and CBr₂ ²⁺...(Al₂Br₇ ^–)₂ ionic complexes can be formed in the CBr₄ ·nAlBr₃ systems. In the cations and dications of polyhalomethanes (when Hal = Cl, Br, or l) in both the free and bound (included in ionic complexes) states, carbon atoms carry negative charges, the C-Hal bonds are substantially shortened, and the positive charges are located on one-coordinate halogen atoms. These cations and dications can be considered as halenium ions that differ from halenium salts with dicoordinate halogen atoms. In the cationic and dicationic complexes of the CBr₄ ·nAlBr₃ systems, the maximum positive charges on the Br atoms are 0.39 and 0.94, respectively. Fluorine-containing cations and dications have structures similar to those of carbenium ions, whereas in the CF₄ ·nAIF₃ systems (n = l or 2), only donor-acceptor complexes are formed.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya. No. 3, pp. 554–560, March, 1996.     

Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Cu(II) Complexes with N-Aryl-N-2-hydroxybenzyl- and N-Aryl-N-2-hydroxynaphthylmethyleneamine Derivatives

The reactions of Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, and Ni²⁺ ions with N-phenyl-N-2-hydroxybenzyl- and N-phenyl-N-2-hydroxynaphthylmethyleneamine derivatives (HL ⁿ , n = 1–8) produced from the derivatives of aniline and aromatic -hydroxyaldehydes are studied. Among the ions studied, only Cu²⁺ forms stable complexes Cu(L ⁿ )₂ · 2H₂O. The structures of the synthesized compounds are studied by IR, UV, and EPR spectroscopies and differential thermal analysis. The magnetic moments of the Cu(L ⁿ )₂ · 2H₂O complexes are very small and range within 0.43–1.19 _B, depending on the ligand structure, which indicates a strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the Cu²⁺ ions. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility measured for the Cu(L³)₂ · 2H₂O complex (where HL³ is N-4-methoxyphenyl-N-2-hydroxybenzylamine) is closest to the theoretical curve calculated for the binuclear Cu(II) complexes connected by the intermolecular exchange interaction. The Cu(II) complexes with HL ⁿ are shown to undergo oxidative dehydrogenation to form the corresponding metal salicyl-aldiminates. This reaction can occur on heating in the absence of oxygen and is accompanied by the Cu²⁺ Cu⁺ transition.     

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of diphenyl-N-butylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B⁻) in the presence of diphenyl-N-butylcarbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide (DPBCMPO, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL₂⁺, ML₂³⁺, ML₃³⁺ and ML₄³⁺ (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It has been found that the stability constants of the corresponding complexes EuL _n ³⁺ and AmL _n ³⁺, where n = 2, 3, 4 and L is DPBCMPO, in water saturated nitrobenzene are comparable.     

Synergistic extraction of europium and americium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate and 1,2-(diphenylphosphino)ethane dioxide

Extraction of microamounts of europium and americium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B⁻) in the presence of 1,2-(diphenylphosphino)ethane dioxide (DPPEtDO, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the species HL⁺, HL₂ ⁺, ML₂ ³⁺ and ML₄ ³⁺ (M³⁺ = Eu³⁺, Am³⁺) are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined. It was found that the stability constants of the corresponding complexes EuL _n ³⁺ and AmL _n ³⁺, where n = 2, 4 and L is DPPEtDO, in water-saturated nitrobenzene are comparable.