Adsorption behavior of VII group elements on tertiary pyridine resin in hydrochloric acid solution

We investigated the adsorption behaviors of technetium and rhenium on tertiary pyridine resin in hydrochloric acid solution. Technetium has a little larger distribution coefficient in higher concentration of hydrochloric acid region than rhenium. However, the tendency of adsorption behavior of technetium and rhenium is similar. We concluded that the rhenium can be used as the substitute for technetium. Adsorption behaviors of platinum group elements were also investigated. The separation of technetium from platinum group elements is discussed.     

Neutron activation analysis of traces in electrolytic zinc sulphate solutions : Part II. determination of molybdenum and rhenium

A neutron activation analysis has been devised for the determination of traces of molybdenum and rhenium in an electrolytic zinc sulphate solution. The activities due to the daughter ^99mTc and to ¹⁸⁶Re were counted. The chemical separation was performed on an anion-exchange resin. The matrix activities were separated by elution with 0.5 N nitric acid. The separation of technetium and rhenium was performed by an elution with 0.2 N perchloric acid. To avoid errors in the molybdenum determination, the uranium present in the sample was separated before the irradiation.     

On the mechanism of the electrochemical reduction of TcO 4 −1 ion on platinum cathode in sulphuric acid solutions

Electroreduction of oxygen-containing anions of the elements of VII group of periodic table, in particular, technetium is a very complicated process. The structure of electron shells of technetium 4d⁶ 5s¹ (s^9/2), allows some oxidation states from +7 to −1, and shows the tendency to hydrolysis, disproportionation and to complex formation. Heptavalent state with d⁰-electron configuration and low tendency to reduction is characteristic for technetium and rhenium. We have studied the products of electroreduction of ion TcO ₄ ⁻ from sulphurous acid solutions of pertechnetate on platinum cathode using electrophoresis, methods of classic preparation chemistry, electron and vibratory spectroscopy. As a result we have succeeded in the isolation of the products of electrochemical reactions, identification and explaining some features of the process connected with the formation of metalic technetium and intermediate complex forms of reduced technetium.     

Methodological studies of the determination of 99Tc in matrix-rich environmental samples

A few experiments testing technetium behavior at different conditions for complex matrixes (soils, sediments) were performed. It was confirmed that the incineration of samples soaked with ammonia can be done without technetium losses. Next, for the precipitation of iron(III) hydroxide at different pH levels, the degree of co-precipitation of technetium was studied. It can be helpful during purification of very matrix-rich and massive samples. Finally the technetium and rhenium fractionation during separation of technetium from the environmental samples was studied. This test clearly showed limitations for using Re as yield tracer during ⁹⁹Tc analyses in case of mineral matrixes.     

Rhenium and technetium complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes – A review

The coordination chemistry of technetium and rhenium with N-heterocyclic carbenes of the dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene and 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene types is reviewed. Compounds containing the metals in the oxidation states “+7”, “+5” and “+1” are introduced. General trends and differences in the chemical behaviour of the complexes, particularly between the different metal cores (oxo, nitrido, imido) of Tc(V) and Re(V) compounds, are discussed. The influence of electronic and steric factors for the stabilisation of the metal complexes is explored.     

Evaporation behavior of water and concentration of technetium and rhenium using thin film evaporator

The nuclear energy cycle requires the recycling of nuclear fuel, water, chemical reagents, and the volume reduction of radioactive liquid wastes. A fundamental technique for continuous recovery of water using a thin-film evaporator was examined. Appropriate recovery measurements were: an evaporator heat temperature of 323 K, a feed rate of 0.23 cm³s⁻¹, a vacuum pressure of 15 mmHg (2 kPa), and impeller rotational speeds of 500–600 rpm (min⁻¹). The concentration of trace technetium and rhenium in aqueous solutions was also studied. A decontamination factor of 10⁵ for rhenium was obtained.     

Separation of technetium from rhenium by liquid-liquid extraction with potassium xanthate

A method is described for separating technetium from rhenium in hydrochloric acid medium by liquid-liquid extraction with potassium xanthate and carbon tetrachloride. The effects of the concentration of various acids, concentration of xanthate, different solvents and diverse ions have been investigated.     

Determination of rhenium in gold-containing ores by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A procedure is developed for determining rhenium in gold-containing ores by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The adsorption preconcentration of perrhenate ions on activated charcoal is studied. It is found that the pH of the solution, the time of exposing the adsorbent to the solution, UV irradiation, and the presence of associate elements (tungsten, gold, silver, and copper) affect the adsorption. The procedure is applied to the X-ray fluorescence determination of rhenium in gold-containing ores from different deposits.     

Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis of Rhenium and Ammonium Perrhenate Samples

A procedure for the radiochemical neutron activation analysis of rhenium and ammonium perrhenate samples was developed. The procedure provides the determination of about 30 impurity elements present in concentrations of n× 10^–4to n× 10^–8mass % with RSD of 20–30%. An AV-17 anion exchanger–nitric acid solution system was used, which allows the selective separation of rhenium from a wide variety of elements.     

The Study of Various Rhenium Compounds by Capillary Electrophoresis

The conditions for the synthesis of rhenium compounds (pH, reaction time, concentration of reducing agent) have been determined previously by thin-layer chromatography. A Britton-Robinson buffer solution has been selected as a carrier electrolyte due to its possible use in a wide interval of pH, mainly at optimal pH for the formation of the complexes studied. The same electrolyte has been previously applied also in case of the study of rhenium and technetium complexes by polarography. The electrophoretic experiments have been carried out under both standard and reverse polarities with direct UV detection at the wavelength 214 nm and 20 °C. The signal of perrhenate has been observed at the reverse polarity (outlet+, inlet–), of reduced rhenium [probably Re(IV)] under normal polarity. The formation of rhenium complexes with EDTA has been shown by lowering of the cationic rhenium signal due to the addition of the ligand. The rhenium complexes with EDTA are observable at reverse mode of CE. The formation of rhenium complexes with HEDP (hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid) has been studied in two different carrier electrolytes — 40 mM Britton-Robinson buffer solution and 50 mM phosphate buffer with 20 mM HEDP. The mechanism of perrhenate reduction by stannous chloride and of the formation of rhenium complexes with EDTA has been determined. The necessity of the presence of ascorbic acid as an antioxidant in the reaction mixture at different pH values has been described as well.     

Synthesis of tricarbonyl rhenium and technetium complexes of a 5′-carboxamide 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine for selective inhibition of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase 1

Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase type 1 (HSV1-TK) is frequently used as reporter protein in gene therapy. Our aim is to produce single photon emitting reporter probe based on technetium-99m. The synthesis of organometallic technetium and rhenium complexes of a 5′-carboxamide 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivative able to selectively inhibit HSV1-TK is presented. The 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine functionalized with a suitable tridentate chelating system at position 5′ was synthesized from commercial 2′-deoxyuridine in seven steps. The 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivative was labeled with the fac-M(CO)₃-core (M = Tc, Re). The resulting rhenium complex was found to be a selective competitive inhibitor of HSV1-TK (K_i = 4.56 μM). Inhibition of the human cytosolic thymidine kinase (hTK1) previously reported with organometallic rhenium and technetium complexes of 5′-carboxamide thymidine derivative was not observed. The uptake of the technetium-99m complex in transfected cells expressing HSV1-TK has been evaluated to assess its possible use as reporter.     

Nmr study of the solution structures of TcO(2)F(3) and ReO(2)F(3)

Both TcO(2)F(3) and ReO(2)F(3) are infinite chain, fluorine-bridged polymers in the solid state. Their solution structures have been studied by (19)F and (99)Tc NMR spectroscopy in SO(2)ClF solution and shown to exhibit cyclic (MO(2)F(3))(3) (M = Tc, Re) and (ReO(2)F(3))(4) structures that have been confirmed by simulation of the (19)F NMR spectra. The trimers dominate in both the technetium and rhenium systems, with both the tetramer and trimer existing in equilibrium in the rhenium system. A low concentration of a higher, possibly pentameric, cyclic rhenium polymorph is also present in equilibrium with the trimer and tetramer.     

Chemical bonding and aromaticity in trinuclear transition-metal halide clusters

Trinuclear transition-metal complexes such as Re(3)X(9) (X = Cl, Br, I), with their uniquely featured structure among metal halides, have posed intriguing questions related to multicenter electron delocalization for several decades. Here we report a comprehensive study of the technetium halide clusters [Tc(3)(μ-X)(3)X(6)](0/1-/2-) (X = F, Cl, Br, I), isomorphous with their rhenium congeners, predicted from density functional theory calculations. The chemical bonding and aromaticity in these clusters are analyzed using the recently developed adaptive natural density partitioning method, which indicates that only [Tc(3)X(9)](2-) clusters exhibit aromatic character, stemming from a d-orbital-based π bond delocalized over the three metal centers. We also show that standard methods founded on the nucleus-independent chemical shift concept incorrectly predict the neutral Tc(3)X(9) clusters to be aromatic.     

Design and synthesis of a novel family of semi-rigid ligands: versatile compounds for the preparation of 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals

Synthetic pathways to a range of novel semi-rigid tetradentate ligands, with sulfur, amido or amino donor groups, designed to coordinate technetium 99m have been developed. The technetium-99m complexes have been prepared and their stabilities in serum and by metathesis reaction via cysteine exchange reactions were compared. HPLC comparison of two (99m)Tc-complexes and their rhenium analogues led to the first proof of the nature of our radioactive complexes.     

Determination of technetium-99 in aqueous samples by isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

An isotope dilution/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method (ID/ICP-MS) for measuring the concentration of technetium-99 in aqueous samples was developed at the Savannah River Technology Center (SRTC). The procedure is faster than radiometric tecniques, is less subject to interferences, and has equal or better detection limits. It is currently being used to measure the concentration of⁹⁹Tc in samples of Savannah River water collected in the vicinity of the Savannah River Site. In this method one liter samples of water are spiked with⁹⁷Tc. After equilibration, the technetium is extracted from the sample with a chromatographic resin. Interfering elements, molybdenum and ruthenium, are either not retained by the resin or are washed off with, dilute nitric acid. The technetium is then eluted with more concentrated nitric acid, and the⁹⁹Tc/⁹⁷Tc ratio in the eluant is measured with an ICP-MS. The⁹⁹Tc concentration in the original sample is calculated from the⁹⁹Tc/⁹⁷Tc ratio. The chemical recovery of the extraction procedure is greater than 90%. The detection limit of the instrument, taken as three times the background counts atm/z=99, is 0.6 part per trillion (ppt). The detection limit of the procedure, taken as three times the standard deviation of several reagent blank analyses, is 0.33 pCi/l.     

Atomic absorption spectrometric methods for analysis of high-purity gallium and rhenium and layers of doped ilicon

Atomic absorption spectrometry with electrothermal atomization is used to determine 13 and 15 elements in high-purity rhenium and gallium, respectively. Flame emission is used for K, Na and Li. Improved detection limits are achieved by extraction of the matrix. Thin films (0.01–l μm)of doped silicon are analyzed for As, Sb, In and Tl by a similar atomic absorption method, after chemical or electrochemical stripping of the layers.     

Kinetics of the formation of precipitates and the physicochemical properties of technetium-99 and rhenium sulfides according to small-angle X-ray scattering and ultramicrocentrifugation data

The interaction of technetium and rhenium with sulfides in aqueous solutions was studied by small-angle X-ray scattering and ultramicrocentrifugation. It was shown that, although the stoichiometry of technetium sulfide corresponds to the formula Tc₂S_7–x, the oxidation state of technetium in it is +4 and the excess sulfur is bound into a disulfide group so that its formula can correctly be written as [Tc₃(µ³-S)(µ²-S₂)₃(S₂)_(3n–n)/n)]_n. The determination of the solubility of technetium sulfide is complicated by its tendency to form colloids, which was the reason why the above methods were chosen to find features of its formation and describe its solubility in solutions.     

Technetium chemistry in a novel group actinide extraction process

A newly developed method for advanced reprocessing of used nuclear fuel is the Group ActiNide EXtraction (GANEX) process. It is a liquid–liquid extraction process that aims at extracting all the actinides as a group from dissolved used nuclear fuel. This extraction can either be performed after a removal of the bulk uranium or directly on the dissolution liquor. At Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden a solvent that utilizes tributyl-phosphate (TBP) and a molecule from the bis-triazine bipyridine (BTBP) class of ligands dissolved in cyclohexanone has been developed for the use in a GANEX process. Previously the system has not been tested with the presence of technetium that is one of the major fission products. Technetium is often considered a problem within reprocessing since it has a chemical behaviour that differs from most other elements in the spent fuel. Therefore, a special emphasis was put on the investigation of technetium in the selected GANEX system. It was shown that technetium is readily extracted by the GANEX solvent and that cyclohexanone is the main extractant when no other metals were present in the system. It was also found that the presence of uranium decreased the overall technetium extraction despite a slight co-extraction with TBP, while irradiation of the GANEX solvent to large doses (>1 MGy) increased its technetium extraction capability. It was also discovered that an increased nitrate concentration in the aqueous phase and an addition of other fission products both inhibited the technetium extraction even though fission product loading most likely changed the extraction mechanism to co-extraction by BTBP.     

Dynamic Processes of Rhenium Polyhydride Complexes

Studies have demonstrated that high-coordination-number rhenium polyhydride complexes are precursors to catalysts that transform a variety of organic molecules. While rhenium polyhydride complexes lead to active catalysts, little has been reported on the mechanisms for the transformations. High-coordination-number rhenium polyhydride complexes exhibit several dynamic processes that make characterizations of the chemical properties for individual atoms difficult, at best, for room-temperature solutions. This review describes what is known of the dynamic processes that occur at high-coordination-number rhenium polyhydride complexes and how that knowledge may lead to the design of catalytic precursors in which the chemical properties of individual atoms can be more readily identified in room-temperature solutions.