Alkyl-substituted 2,6-dioxadiazolylpyridines as selective extractants for trivalent actinides

2,6-di(3-alkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)pyridines, 2,6-di(5-alkyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridines, and 2,6-di(5-alkyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)pyridines were synthesized and tested for their americium(III)-europium(III) selectivity by liquid-liquid extraction. 0.02M solutions of the compounds extract americium(III) 2-bromohexanoates as monosolvates, AmA₃B, from solutions of pH 2, with an americium(III)-europium(III) separation factor of up to 23. Decreasing the alkyl chain length (butyl < ethyl < methyl) or the polarity of the diluent (chlorobenzene < toluene < tert.-butyl benzene) increased both americium(III) distribution ratio and americium(III)-europium(III) separation factor.