Extraction of uranium(VI) by bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane

The extraction of uranium(VI) with bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane (BHxSM) from nitric acid aqueous solution has been investigated. It was found that the extraction increased with increasing nitric acid concentration up 8.5 mol/l and then decreased. Extraction distribution ratio also increased with the bis(hexylsulfinyl)methane concentration. The extraction species appear to be UO₂(NO₃)₂^.2BHxSM. The influences of temperature, salting-out concentration and oxalate concentration on the extraction equilibrium were also investigated, and the enthalpy of the extraction reaction was obtained. The result shows that the reaction of uranium(VI) extraction with BHxSM is an exothermic one.