Extraction of trace amounts of cerium(III) by oxides of amines and its separation from cerium(IV)

The solvent extraction of cerium(III) from nitric, hydrochloric and sulphuric acid solutions by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide in xylene has been studied. The influence of the concentration of the solvents and salting-out agents is described. From the results of partition experiments attempts have been made to deduce the nature of the extracted species. The investigation shows that cerium(III) can be separated from cerium(IV) from very dilute solutions of mineral acids and also from moderate nitric acid media.     

The extraction of trace amounts of tantalum(V) from different mineral acid solutions by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide

Data are presented on the distribution of trace amounts of tantalum (V) between different mineral acid solutions and 0.1M solutions of N-oxides of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and trioctylamine. The optimal acidity is 0.01–0.5M, depending on the nature of the acid. Common anions have little effect on extraction. Possible mechanisms of extraction are suggested making use of slope analysis data. Separation factors for a number of metal ions with respect to tantalum are reported for the 0.1M 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide—1M sulphuric acid extraction system. Separation from uranium(VI), thorium(IV) and a number of fission products is suggested. where a part of the work was done.     

Separation of trace concentrations of tantalum from niobium and some other heavy metal ions by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine

The distribution of tantalum(V) between 0.1M trioctylamine oxide dissolved in xylene and sulphuric acid solutions has been studied. On the basis of results on the distribution, it is concluded that at sulphuric acid concentration 0.5M, tantalum is probably extracted by a solvate mechanism as the complex Ta(OH) (SO₄)₂·3TOAO. It has also been shown that tantalum can be quantitatively separated from niobium, uranium, thorium and rare earth elements by extraction with N-oxide of trioctylamine from 0.5M sulphuric acid solution.     

Chemical separation of cerium(III) fission nuclides from neutron irradiated uranium using N-oxides as solvents

Summary Radiochemical cerium has been separated from young fission products by extraction of uranium and fission product nuclides using tri-n-octylamine oxide and an anion exchange column for preconcentration followed by extraction of cerium(IV) with 0.25M xylene solution of 4-(5-nonyl) pyridine oxide from 0.1M nitric acid. Cerium is then back extracted by reduction with HCl-H₂O₂ mixture.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Abtrennung radioaktiven Cers werden Uran und Spaltproduktnuklide mittels Tri-n-oktylaminoxid extrahiert. Mit Hilfe einer Anionen-austauschersäule und nachfolgender Einengung des Effluenten wird angereichert, der Rückstand wird in 0,1-m Salpetersäure aufgenommen und das Cer(IV) daraus mit einer 0,25-m Lösung von 4-(5-Nonyl)pyridinoxid in Xylol extrahiert. Aus der organischen Phase wird das Cer mittels salzsaurem Wasserstoffperoxid rückextrahiert.

     

A new mode of reactivity for pyridine N-oxide: C-H activation with uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) bis(alkyl) complexes

Uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) bis(alkyl) complexes of the type (C5Me5)2AnR2 (An = U, Th; R = CH3, CH2Ph) activate the sp2 and sp3 hybridized C-H bonds in pyridine N-oxide and lutidine N-oxide to produce the corresponding cyclometalated complexes, (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ONC5H4] and (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ON-2-CH2-5-CH3-C5H3]. These provide rare examples of C-H activation chemistry mediated by actinide metal centers. This chemistry is in contrast to the known oxygen atom transfer reactivity patterns of pyridine N-oxides with oxophilic metal complexes and constitutes a new mode of reactivity for pyridine N-oxides.     

The extraction of chromium(VI) from sulphuric acid solutions by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and its separation from fission products

4-(5-Nonyl)pyridine, a new liquid anion exchanger, has been studied for the extraction of chromium(VI) from sulphuric acid solutions. The optimal acidity is 0.1–1 M, depending on the concentration of chromium. Common anions have little effect on extraction in concentrations up to 0.1 M. Reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and thiosulphate prevent extraction at concentrations above 0.1 M. Separation of chromium(VI) from fission products was achieved.     

Preparation of234Th(UX1) by extraction of238U. determination of thorium with arsenazo-III

Summary Radiochemical procedures have been worked out to prepare²³⁴Th(UX₁) with and without carrier from uranium using N-oxide of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine in sulphuric acid media. This reagent has also been employed in the development of a combined solvent extraction-ion exchange-spectrophotometric method for the determination of thorium in various samples.

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Zusammenfassung Radiochemische Methoden zur Herstellung von²³⁴Th(UX₁) aus Uran mit und ohne Träger und unter Verwendung von 4-(5-Nonyl)pyridin-N-oxid in schwefelsaurer Lösung wurden ausgearbeitet. Dieses Reagens wurde auch für die Ausarbeitung einer Thoriumbestimmung in verschiedenartigen Proben auf der Grundlage von Extraktion, Ionenaustausch und Spektro-photometrie verwendet.

     

Comparison of standards in the Karl Fischer method for water determination.

The use of 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine oxide and trioctylamine oxide for the extraction of niobium(V) from different mineral acid solutions is described. The influence of the concentration of the solvents, acids and salting-out agents is discussed. Separations of niobium(V) from tantalum(V) and zirconium(IV) have been achieved.     

Extractive separation of thorium(IV) as a sulphate complex with N-n-octylaniline

The distribution of Th(IV) between aqueous sulphuric acid and organic phases of N-n-octylaniline in xylene is described. The dependence of the metal extraction on acidity and extractant concentration is investigated. Based on the results obtained, the possible extraction mechanism is discussed. The determination of Th(IV) and its separation from synthetic mixtures is suggested. The method is extended to the analysis of thorium in monazite and gas mantles.     

Manganese(II) catalysed oxidation of glycerol by cerium(IV) in aqueous sulphuric acid medium: a kinetic and mechanistic study

The manganese(II) catalysed oxidation of glycerol by cerium(IV) in aqueous sulphuric acid has been studied spectrophotometrically at 25 °C and I = 1.60 mol dm⁻³. Stoichiometry analysis shows that one mole of glycerol reacts with two moles of cerium(IV) to give cerium(III) and glycolic aldehyde. The reaction is first order in both cerium(IV) and manganese(II), and the order with respect to glycerol concentration varies from first to zero order as the glycerol concentration increases. Increase in sulphuric acid concentration, added sulphate and bisulphate all decrease the rate. Added cerium(III) retards the rate of reaction, whereas glycolic aldehyde had no effect. The active species of oxidant and catalyst are Ce(SO₄)₂ and [Mn(H₂O)₄]²⁺. A mechanism is proposed, and the reaction constants and activation parameters have been determined.     

Macro and semimicro determination of inorganic bromide by cerium(IV) oxidimetry

Aqueous solutions containing 1-200 mg of inorganic bromide in 25-100 ml of solution are quantitatively analysed at room temperature by direct titration with ammonium hexanitratocerate(IV) in 2M perchloric acid. The titration medium is perchloric acid at a concentration of at least 4M. End-points are determined from potentiometric (Pt vs. S.C.E. electrodes) titration plots, the potential break at the end-point being 300 mV. Iodide up to at least 0.02N and sulphate up to 0.01N do not interfere. Chloride depresses the end-point potential break but a satisfactory titration curve is still obtained in the presence of 0.04N chloride. Standard deviations are +/- 0.068 mg of bromide in the 1- to 20-mg range [0.02M cerium(IV) titrant] and +/- 0.45 mg of bromide in the 20- to 200-mg range [0.1M cerium(IV) titrant].     

Extraction of molybdenum(VI) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine in benzene from aqueous mineral acid solutions containing thiocyanate ions

Extraction of Mo(VI) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine (NPy) in benzene from mineral acid solutions containing thiocyanate ions has been investigated at room temperature (23±2°C). From mineral acid (HCl, HNO₃, and H₂SO₄) solutions alone Mo(VI) is not extracted quantitatively while the presence of small amounts of KSCN in the system augments the extraction by a large factor. Stoichiometric studies indicate that ion-pair type complexes (NPyH)₂·[MoO₂(SCN)₄] are responsible for the extraction. Separation factors determined at fixed extraction conditions (0.1M Npy/C₆H₆–0.1M acid +0.2M KSCN) reveal that Ag(I), Cu(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and U(VI) are co-extracted while a clean separation from alkali metals, alkaline earths and some transition metals like Ln(III), Zr(IV), Hf(IV), Cr(III), Cr(VI) and Ir(III) is possible. Some of the complexing anions like oxalate, citrate, acetate, thiosulfate or ascorbate do not affect the degree of extraction of Mo(VI) allowing it to be recovered from diverse matrices.     

Thermogravimetric studies of dipyridinium complexes of cerium(IV), thorium(IV) and zirconium(IV)

The TG curves of dipyridinium complexes of Ce(IV), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) have been reported. The mode of decomposition of the cerium and thorium complexes is broadly comparable but the decomposition of Zr complex shows some variation.     

Mechanistic study of cerium(IV) oxidation of antimony(III) in aqueous sulphuric acid in the presence of micro amounts of manganese(II) by stopped flow technique

The oxidation of antimony(III) by cerium(IV) has been studied spectrometrically (stopped flow technique) in aqueous sulphuric acid medium. A minute amount of manganese(II) (10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³) is sufficient to enhance the slow reaction between antimony(III) and cerium(IV). The stoichiometry is 1:2, i.e. one mole of antimony(III) requires two moles of cerium(IV). The reaction is first order in both cerium(IV) and manganese(II) concentrations. The order with respect to antimony(III) concentration is less than unity (ca 0.3). Increase in sulphuric acid concentration decreases the reaction rate. The added sulphate and bisulphate decreases the rate of reaction. The added products cerium(III) and antimony(V) did not have any significant effect on the reaction rate. The active species of oxidant, substrate and catalyst are Ce(SO₄)₂, [Sb(OH)(HSO₄)]⁺ and [Mn(H₂O)₄]²⁺, respectively. The activation parameters were determined with respect to the slow step. Possible mechanisms are proposed and reaction constants involved have been determined.     

Ion exchange studies of U(VI), Th(IV), Pu(IV) and Eu(III) on a macroreticular resin in TBP-Shell Sol-T solutions

Ion exchange studies of uranium(VI), thorium(IV), plutonium(IV) and europium(III) ions on a macroreticular cation exchange resin, Amberlyst A-15, from solutions of 30% and 5% TBP—Shell Sol-T have been carried out. The metal ions were extracted into TBP Shell Sol-T phase from 8M NH₄NO₃ at different nitric acid concentrations. Ion exchange distribution ratios as a function of organic phase acidity of 30% and 5% TBP have been computed. Separation factors computed from the observed Kd values are plotted as a function of organic phase acidity.     

4-(5-Nonyl)pyridine as an extractant for cobalt thiocyanate complexes from mineral acid solutions

The partition behaviour of cobalt into 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine (NPy) in benzene from aqueous hydrochloric, nitric and sulfuric acid media containing variable amounts of potassium thiocyanate is described. Cobalt is quantitatively extracted by NPy from 0.1–1M KSCN solutions at 0.01 M concentration of the mineral acids. The extraction mechanism and the possible compositions of the extracted species are discussed. The effects of foreign salts on the extraction of cobalt from three mineral acid solutions are reported. Several elements including those which are of some interest in connection with the separation of cobalt were tested for extraction from 0.01 M solutions of mineral acids 0.3 M with respect to KSCN and their factors for separation from cobalt were estimated.     

Carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage in pyridine ring systems mediated by organometallic thorium(IV) complexes

Thorium(IV) alkyl and aryl complexes of the type (C(5)Me(5))(2)ThR(2)(R = CH(2)Ph, Ph) have been found to mediate the facile ring-opening and dearomatization of the pyridine ring of pyridine N-oxide under ambient conditions to afford the first thorium eta(2)-(O,N)-oximate complexes.     

Extraction studies of thorium(IV) with triphenylphosphine oxide

A simple method is described for the solvent extraction of thorium. Thorium is extracted quantitatively from 5·10^–3M sodium salicylate solution at pH 2.5–3.25 using 2.16·10^–2M triphenylphosphine oxide as an extractant dissolved in toluene. The extracted metal ion is stripped with hydrochloric acid (0.1M) and determined spectrophotometrically with Thoron-1 at 540 nm. The method permits separation of thorium from lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, samarium and uranium from binary mixtures and is applicable to the analysis of monazite sand. The method is precise, accurate and selective.     

Electrochemical Behavior of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) Couple in N,N-Di(2-ethylhexyl)-n-butanamide (DEHBA), N,N-Di(2-ethylhexyl)-iso-butanamide (DEHiBA), and N,N-Di(2-ethylhexyl)-3,3-dimethyl Butanamide (DEHDMBA)

In this work we report on the electrochemical behavior of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) redox couple in pure N,N-dialkyl amides (N,N-DA), namely N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-n-butanamide (DEHBA), N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-iso-butanamide (DEHiBA), and N,N-di(2-ethylhexyl)-3,3-dimethyl butanamide (DEHDMBA) equilibrated with nitric aqueous solutions as an entry to the direct electrochemical characterization of plutonium in these extractants. Ce(IV)/Ce(III) redox process was used as a model. Its potential (E_1/2≅1.02 V/SCE) is not affected by the temperature and the nature of the N,N-DA and this clearly indicates that the functionalities of these extractants produce the same relative effect on both +IV and +III oxidation states of the cerium cation. Linear variations of the current intensity of the reduction peak of Ce(IV) with the concentration of Ce(IV)/N,N-DAs/HNO₃(5 M) solutions were obtained from cyclic voltammograms recorded at 25 °C and 40 °C. Due to the poor definition of the voltammograms in DEHiBA and DEHDMBA, such characterization allows only the evaluation of the performances of the chemical extraction of Ce(IV) from aqueous nitric acid solution by the undiluted DEHBA. To our knowledge, the electrochemical behavior of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) in N,N-DAs was not previously studied and our findings will for sure open the door for further investigations in this field.     

Solvent extraction of technetium(VII) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine and its separation from uranium and some fission products

The extraction of technetium (VII) by 4-(5-nonyl)pyridine has been investigated from different aqueous solutions. Separation from uranium and some fission products has been achieved in nitrate media. From the results of partition experiments, attempts have been made to deduce the nature of the extracted species.