Extraction of palladium with thiacalix[4]arenes from nitric acid nitrate-nitrite solutions

Calix[4]arene 1, thiacalix[4]arenes 2(LH₄), and calix[4]arenethioether 3 were compared in palladium extraction from nitric acid solutions; D _Pd for 2 was shown to be 2?C3 orders of magnitude larger than for 1 at pH > 3 (comparable with 3) because of cation-exchange and coordination extraction of palladium. It was shown by extraction methods and IR spectroscopy that thiacalixarenes 2 extract complex species [Pd _n L _m H_{4 ? 2n} ] (m = 1, n = 1 and 2) and [(PdA₂) _n L _m H₄] (A = m = 1, n = 1?C4) from nitric acid solutions at pH 3. Extraction constants for these palladium species that satisfactorily describe experimental data were calculated. As distinct from 3, thiacalixarenes 2 are promising for the combined extraction of palladium and silver from alkaline solutions and the selective extraction of fission palladium from nitric acid solutions. Phosphorylated at the upper rim thiacalixarenes 2 can be considered as bifunctional extractants for the separation of fission radionuclides.     

Extraction of palladium with acyclic analogs of thiacalix[4]arenes from nitric acid solutions

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene was compared with its acyclic analogs in palladium extraction from nitric acid solutions as mononuclear and poly(bi)nuclear complexes with participation of protonated molecules of podands and macrocycle. The extraction ability of podands is similar to that of macrocycle because of the same character of complexation (Pd: S = 1: 1) without formation of new chelates and lower than that of monodentate analog owing to formation of a square complex (Pd: S = 1: 2).     

Extraction behavior of cerium by tetraoctyldiglycolamide from nitric acid solutions

The diamide N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyldiglycolamide (TODGA) was synthesized and characterized. The prepared TODGA was applied for extraction of Ce(III) from nitric acid solutions. The equilibrium studies included the dependencies of cerium distribution ratio on nitric acid, TODGA, nitrate ion, hydrogen ion and cerous ion concentrations. Analysis of the results indicates that the main extracted species is Ce(TODGA)₂(NO₃)₃HNO₃. The capacity of Ce loading is approximately 45 mmol/L for 0.1 M solution of TODGA in n-hexane. Finally, the thermodynamic parameters were calculated: K (25 °C) = 3.8 × 10³, ΔH = −36.7 ± 1.0 kJ/mol, ΔS = −54.6 ± 3.0 J/K mol, and ΔG = −20.4 ± 0.1 kJ/mol.     

Extraction of tri- and tetravalent actinides with dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (DHDECMP) and TBP from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of trivalent (Pu³⁺, Am³⁺, actinides and Eu³⁺, a representative of lanthanides) and tetravalent (Np⁴⁺ and Pu⁴⁺) actinides has been studied with dihexyl N,N-di-ethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (DHDECMP) in combination with TBP in benzene from 2M nitric acid. The stoichiometries of the species extracted were found to be M(NO₃)₃·(3–n) TBP·n DHDECMP (for trivalent ions) and M(NO₃)₄·(2–n) TBP·n DHDECMP (for tetravalent ions) by the slope ratio method. The extraction constants evaluated (from the distribution data) indicate that for tetravalent ions (with solvation number two) the extraction constant increases when TBP (Kh=0.17) molecules are successively replaced by more basic DHDECMP (Kh=0.34) molecules. However, for trivalent ions (with solvation number three) when TBP molecules are totally replaced by DHDECMP molecules stereochemical factors appear and instead of increase, a substantial decrease in extraction constants is observed for Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺, a lesser decrease being observed for Pu³⁺ (larger ion).     

Some studies on the extraction of plutonium from phosphate containing nitric acid solutions using DBDECMP as extractant

Extraction studies have been carried out to explore the feasibility of separation of Pu(IV) from phosphate containing analytical wastes generated in the laboratory. Distribution data on the extraction of Pu(IV) from DBDECMP (di-butyl, N,N-diethylcarbamoyl methyl phosphonate) in xylene from an aqueous nitric acid and its mixture with sulfuric as well as with sulfuric and phosphoric acids were obtained. Based on the data obtained, the conditions for the recovery of plutonium from such waste solutions are suggested.     

Extraction of tetravalent berkelium by tributyl phosphate from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of Bk(IV), Ce(IV), Pu(IV) and Zr by tributyl phosphate from 2M to 16M nitric acid solutions has been studied. Using the data on the effect of the extractant, nitric acid and nitrate ion concentrations on the distribution coefficients of Bk(IV) and Ce(IV), the mechanism of Bk(IV) extraction by tributyl phosphate from nitric acid solutions is considered.     

Extraction of strontium from nitric acid solutions by selected crown ethers

The extraction of Sr from nitric acid solutions by the crown ethers, 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6 and DB 18-crown-6 dissolved in chloroform has been investigated. Sr is reasonably well extracted by 18-crown-6 compared to other crown ethers from different nitric acid solutions. The extraction is strongly dependent on the concentration of HNO₃ and nitrate salts. Preliminary studies indicate that¹³⁷Cs is also extracted to a limited extent by 18-crown-6 from nitrate medium. Stripping of Sr was achieved by an aqueous solution of low acidity, the crown ether being regenerated for subsequent extraction.     

Extraction of actinides and fission products by octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethyl-phosphine oxide from nitric acid media

Extraction of promethium(III), uranium(VI), plutonium(IV), americium(III), zirconium(IV), ruthenium(III), iron(III) and palladium(II) has been carried out with a mixture of octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) in dodecane. The effects of nitric acid, TBP and CMPO concentrations on the extraction of these metal ions have been studied. The nature of the species of the above metal ions extracted into the organic phase has been suggested.     

Extraction of actinides by quaternary amines from hydrochloric acid medium

The extraction of Np(IV), Pu(IV) and U(VI) from aqueous hydrochloric acid into quaternary amines has been studied. The dependence of the distribution coefficient on amine concentration suggests that the actinide ions extracted are NpCl ₆ ²⁻ PuCl ₆ ²⁻ and UO₂Cl ₄ ²⁻ . This is further supported by the absorption spectra of the amine extracts of these actinide ions. Based on the extraction data obtained, a simple method for the separation of typical metal ions such as Cs, lanthanides and Zr from U(VI) and Pu(IV) is suggested.     

Extraction of f-elements from nitric acid solutions with phosphoryl ketones

The extraction ability and selectivity of a series of phosphoryl ketones Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)Me, and Ph₂P(O)CRR’CH₂C(O)Me (R = H, Me; R’ = H, Me, n-C₅H₁₁, Ph, 2-thienyl, 2-furyl) towards trivalent lanthanides (La^III, Nd^III, Ho^III, Yb^III) and actinides (U^VI, Th^IV) were studied. The efficiency and selectivity of the new ligands in the extraction of f-elements from nitric acid solutions into chloroform were compared to those of model phosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)Bu and known extractants: tributyl phosphate (BuO)₃P(O), trioctylphosphine oxide (C₈H₁₇)₃P(O), and carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)NBu₂.     

Extraction of gold(III) by sulfur-containing calix[4,6]arenes from hydrochloric acid solutions

Thiacalixarenes 1 and 2, thiacalixarene thioether 5, and calixarene thioethers 3a–3c, 4a, and 4b are compared with respect to gold(III) extraction from hydrochloric acid solutions. The gold extractability increases in the following order: 1,2 5 3a–3c, 4a, 4b. The effect of the substituents at the sulfur atom in R₂S and in 3a–3c, 4a, and 4b is identical when cooperative effects (CE) appear for calixarene thioethers. On the basis of the extraction stoichiometry and the activities of the components of the aqueous phase, the gold distribution in the form of (AuCl₃)_nL (n = 1?4) species is quantified for c_HCl from 0.5 to 6 mol/L. A correlation is found between the gold distribution constants into various diluents and the Kamlet-Taft parameter π*.     

Uptake of actinides and lanthanides from nitric acid by dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate adsorbed on chromosorb

Batchwise uptake of Am(III), Pm(III), Eu(III), U(VI) and Pu(IV) by dihexyl-N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate (CMP) adsorbed on chromosorb (CAC) at nitric acid concentrations between 0.01 to 6.0M has been studied. The difference between the uptake behavior of Pu(IV) as compared to other actinides and lanthanides is discussed. The Am(III) and U(VI) species taken up on CAC were found to be Am(NO₃)₃·3CMP and UO₂(NO₃)₂·2CMP, respectively. The equilibrium constants for the formation of these species have been evaluated and compared with those of similar species formed in liquid-liquid extraction. Batchwise loading of Pm(III) on CAC from 3.0M HNO₃ has also been studied.     

Extraction of rare earth elements by high molecular weight amines from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of trivalent rare earth elements by a high molecular weight primary amine /decylamine/ from 0.5–3M nitric acid solutions, containing potassium phosphotungstate /K₁₀P₂W₁₇O₆₁/, has been investigated. The effect of nitric acid and potassium phosphotungstate concentration of the organic solvent, and lanthanides ionic radii upon distribution coefficients has been studied. It has been established that decylamine solutions in chloroform can be used for the group isolation of rare earth elements and for their separation.     

Extraction of palladium from nitric acid solutions by octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoyl- methylphosphine oxide

Extraction behaviors of Pd(II) in the TRUEX and PUREX solvent extractions were studied by using octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide. The effect of scrubbing in the TRUEX solvent extraction was demonstrated by adding oxalic acid. The distribution ratios of palladium (D _Pd's) in the diluted region of [HNO₃] were found to depend strongly on the fraction of cationic species, Pd(NO₃)⁺, existed in the aqueous phase. The gradual decrease of DPd with the increase of acidity beyond [H⁺] 1 mol·dm^-3 was controlled by the formation of the anionic species Pd(NO₃)₃ ^-.     

Mono and bis[N-aryl(benzyl)]amides of phosphorylacetic acids. One-pot synthesis and extraction of actinides from nitric acid solutions

A one-pot synthetic route to phosphorylacetic acid N-aryl(alkylaryl)amides, including those containing two phosphorylmethylcarbamoyl moieties attached to the arene framework, has been developed. The method is based on reactions of amines with the corresponding acid chlorides generated in situ with the use of phosphorus trichloride as a mild chlorinating agent. The compositions and structures of the compounds obtained and their extraction ability toward Am^III were determined. Suggestions were made about the compositions of the extracted complexes with phosphorylacetic acid N-aryl(alkylaryl)amides. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1387–1394, August, 2006.     

Extraction of molybdenum and technetium with diamides of dipicolinic acid from nitric acid solutions

The concentration of molybdenum(VI) in dissolved spent nuclear fuel is comparable with the concentrations of Tc, and the minor actinides (Np, Am). Therefore it is of great interest to understand its behavior under conditions imposed by separation processes. The simultaneous extraction ability of ortho, meta, and para isomers of N,N′-diethyl-N,N′-ditolyl-dipicolinamide (EtTDPA) for molybdenum and technetium were investigated in a large range of nitric and hydrochloric acid conditions. Molybdenum shows no increase in extraction at higher concentrations of nitric acid giving a solvate number n=0 with all isomers of EtTDPA, while Mo shows great extractability from HCl. Technetium distribution ratios decrease with increasing concentrations of nitrate showing indication of ion exchange occurring between TcO₄ ⁻ and NO₃ ⁻ anions. Et(m)TDPA and Et(p)TDPA show the greatest extractability, with 60% of the total technetium extracted into the organic phase at 1M HNO₃.     

Extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by tertiary and quaternary amines from concentrated chloride solutions

Extraction of some trivalent actinides and lanthanides from 11.9 M LiCl (pH 2.0) by some primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary amines in xylene has been studied. Negligible extraction of the metal ions was found with primary and secondary amines whereas they are appreciably extracted with tertiary and quaternary amines, the trivalent actinides always being extracted to a greater extent. The separation factors Kd An(III)/Kd Ln(III) for several trivalent actinides with respect to Eu(III) and Tm(III) are found to be much greater when tertiary amines are used as extractants compared to when quaternary amines are used which has been ascribed to the extraction of higher chloro complexes of the metal ions by tertiary amines. Absorption spectra of Am(III) and Nd(III) extracted into the long chain amines from 11.0 M LiCl (pH 2.0) indicate that octahedral hexachloro complexes are present in the tertiary amine extracts whereas lower complexes are predominantly extracted by the quaternary amines leading to the observed lower separation factors for the trivalent actinides with reference to the lanthanides. Possible role of hydrogen bonding in the stabilization of chloro complexes extracted by tertiary amines as well as the extraction of hydrated chloro complexes by the quaternary amines are discussed.     

Extraction of actinium with di (2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid from hydrochloric and nitric acid solutions

The extraction of actinium with HDEHP from Cl^– and NO ₃ ^– systems has been investigated. It was found that extraction of actinium from HCl solutions is much better than from HNO₃ solutions. Stability constants of the actinium complexes Ac(X^–)²⁺, X^–=Cl^– or NO ₃ ^– , were determined. Our results show that actinium formed less stable complexes with Cl^– than with NO ₃ ^– ligands.     

Actinide and lanthanide extraction from nitric acid solutions by flotation

Flotation of thorium, plutonium (IV), uranium(VI) and gadolinium from aqueous nitric acid solutions (HNO₃ concentration from 0.01 to 5.0M) was investigated using lauryl phosphoric acid (LPA) as a SAS-collector. It is established that the extent of removal of the metal ions increases with the amount of LPA introduced, regardless of the solution acidity. At a fixed mole LPA to metal ratio the extent of uranium(VI) and gadolinium removal is reduced with increasing acidity, while in case of plutonium(IV) and thorium this parameter remains constant. It is shown that in principle 100% extraction of plutonium(IV) and thorium by flotation is possible regardless of the acidity of aqueous solutions. Ca(NO₃)₂ added to the system in the amount of 0.5M does not significantly affect the flotation extraction of thorium.     

Simple route to secondary amides of phosphorylacetic acids and their use for extraction and sorption of actinides from nitric acid solutions

An efficient method for the synthesis of secondary alkylamides of phosphorylacetic acids (APA) was proposed. The method involves amidation of ethyl phosphorylacetates with primary aliphatic amines. The scope of reaction was determined. Reactions with ethylenediamine and 1,4-diaminobutane yield the corresponding bisamides; in the case of 1,3-diaminopropane, N-(3-aminopropyl)diphenylphosphorylacetamide or N,N-propylenebis(diphenylphosphorylacetamide) was obtained, depending on the reaction conditions. The extraction of americium(III) complexes and the sorption of uranium(VI) by sorbents with physically sorbed APA from nitric acid solutions were studied. There is no correlation between the partition coefficient of americium(III) and the structure of APA; in the sorption of uranium(VI), the degree of extraction depends on the complexone structure.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2394–2402, November, 2004.