Thermodynamics of solvent extraction of thorium by solutions of HHTA and mixtures of HHTA and TBP

The changes in free energy, enthalpy and entropy for the extraction of thorium by solutions of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and mixtures of solutions of HTTA and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP), in three diluents, viz. cyclohexane, benzene and chloroform, were determined using the solvent extraction data obtained at different temperatures. From these data the thermodynamic parameters associated with the formation of Th(TTA)₄ · TBP in the respective organic diluents were evaluated. Trends in the enthalpy changes were attributed to different degrees of association of the diluents with themselves and with the solutes present in them.     

Spectrophotometric studies on the formation of adducts involved in synergistic extraction of uranium(IV) by mixtures of HTTA and neutral donors

Formation of adducts between U(TTA)₄ and several neutral donors was studied by spectrophotometry and it was shown that each of the neutral donors forms only 1∶1 adduct with U(TTA)₄. The adduct formation constants with some neutral donors were determined for benzene and chloroform media. As these adducts are involved in the synergistic extraction of U(IV) from aqueous media by mixtures of HTTA and neutral donors dissolved in organic solvents, the extraction equilibrium constants were estimated, The adduct formation was found to result in an increase of the co-ordination number of U(IV) from 8 in U(TTA)₄ to 9 in the adducts it forms with the neutral donors. Similar absorption spectral studies with U(DBM)₄ revealed that it forms much weaker adducts than the corresponding ones with U(TTA)₄.     

Studies on the HTTA extraction of tetravalent actinides

The data on the extraction of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) from aqueous perchloric and nitric acid into benzene solution of thenoyl-trifluoro-acetone (HTTA) have been obtained at different temperatures. From these data the equilibrium constant for their extraction and the values of enthalpy for the extraction of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) were calculated. The absorption spectra of HTTA extracts containing Th(IV), U(IV), Np(IV) and Pu(IV) have been recorded to explore their analytical applications.     

Synergistic extraction of trivalent Am,Cm, Bk and Cf with HTTA+TBP in xylene

The synergistic extraction of trivalent actinides Am, Cm, Bk and Cf with thenoyltrifluoro acetone (HTTA) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) has been studied in xylene at 30°C. Correction for the HTTA-TBP interaction has been applied to get the free TBP concentration in the organic phase. Plots of log D vs. log [HTTA] give straight lines with a slope of 3 only after correcting for the HTTA-TBP interaction; without this correction the slope varies from 3 to 1 with increasing HTTA concentrations. The presence of two synergistic species M(TTA)₃·TBP and M(TTA)₃·2TBP simultaneously has been observed. The equilibrium constants for the organic phase synergistic reactions have been calculated.     

Synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides by HTTA and neutral donors-II

Synergistic extraction studies on Np(VI) and Pu(VI) have been carried out as a part of the programme on the synergistic extraction of hexavalent actinides. Extraction of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) were carried out by mixtures of HTTA and TBP in benzene from aqueous perchlorate and nitrate media. Equilibrium constant values for the various reaction equilibria involved were calculated from the data obtained by using slope-ratio as well as Job’s method. The extraction of Np(VI) by the synergistic mixture from 1M nitric acid indicated that the species NpO₂ (TTA) (NO₃). TBP was not involved in the extraction. The log values of K_A, K_AB and β_AB were −1.5, 2.92 and 4.43, respectively for Np(VI) and −1.63, 2.50 and 4.13 respectively for Pu(VI).     

Studies on extraction of thorium(IV) from sulfate media with mixtures of long-chain primary amines and tributyl phosphate

The partition of Th(IV) from H₂SO₄ solutions with extractant mixtures of long-chain primary amine (Primene JMT, PrJT) and tributyl phosphate (TBP) is described. Exraction was optimized at PrJT/TBP molar ratio of about 3. The dependence of extraction on acidity, salting agent, extractant concentration, diluent type and temperature, was investigated. From the results obtained, the extracted species are suggested and enthalpy data determined.     

Solvent extraction of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) with mixtures of TOPO and HTTA

Solutions of HTTA are known to extract tetravalent actinides as M(TTA)₄ species. When TOPO is added to HTTA solutions, the extracting of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) from aqueous perchloric acid was enhanced enormously. The species responsible for the enhanced extraction were identified from the extraction data by the slope ratio method and JOB's method. It was found that the predominant species responsible for enhancement in the extraction, when [HTTA]≫[TOPO], was M(TTA)₄. TOPO for both Np(IV) and Pu(IV). Furthermore, it was established that depending on the relative concentrations of HTTA and TOPO, a number of species with the composition M(TTA)_a(ClO₄)_4-a·b TOPO, with a ranging from 1 to 4 and b having values of 1 or 2, are involved in the extraction. Several equilibrium constant values are given. Fuel Reprocessing Division.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of thorium/IV/ with LIX-54 and its mixtures

Solvent extraction of thorium/IV/ by a commercially available chelating extractant LIX-54 /a -diketone derivative/ /HA/ and its mixtures with tri-n-butyl phosphate /TBP/, thenoyltrifluoroacetone /HTTA/ and tri-n-octyl phosphineoxide /TOPO/ in benzene as the diluent have been studied. Quantitative extraction of thorium/IV/ by the mixture of 10% LIX-54 and 0.1M TOPO was noticed at pH 2.8. Influence of various concentrations of HTTA and TOPO in their mixtures with LIX-54 on the extraction of the same metal ion has been investigated and pronounced synergism was observed. Slope analyses determination shows the extracted species to be possibly of the type [Th/TTA/₂/A/₂] in case of extraction by mixtures of HTTA and LIX-54. Slopes of the linear plots were computed employing regression analysis, and variance in results has been shown.     

The synergistic extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) with mixtures of 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone and crown ethers

The extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions has been studied using mixtures of 3-phenyl-4-benzoyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI) and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, benzo-18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6 or benzo-15-crown-5. The results demonstrate that these metal ions are extracted into chloroform as Th(PBI)(4) and UO(2)(PBI)(2) with HPBI alone and as Th(PBI)(4) . CE and UO(2)(PBI)(2) . CE in the presence of crown ethers (CE). The equilibrium constants of the above species have been deduced by non-linear regression analysis. The addition of a CE to the metal chelate system enhances the extraction efficiency and also improves the selectivities between thorium and uranium. IR spectral data of the extracted complexes were used to further clarify the nature of the complexes. The binding to the CEs by Th(PBI)(4) and UO(2)(PBI)(2) follows the CE basicity sequence but with DC18C6 and DB18C6, steric effects become more important.     

Studies on the extraction behaviour of zirconium from mixed aqueous media with TBP

A systematic study is presented on the extraction of Zr(IV) by tri-n-butylphosphate from H₂SO₄, HNO₃, HCl and HBr solutions as well from binary mixtures of H₂SO₄ and halogen acids. It has been found that Zr(IV) extraction is appreciably increased by addition of halogen acid to sulphuric acid solutions. On the other hand, the presence of water-miscible alcohols and acetone was found to enhance Zr(IV) extraction from HCl and HNO₃ solutions. An investigation of extracted Zr complexes from pure acids and mixed aqueous media enabled an explanation of the observed enhancements. In the light of the obtained results, an extraction mechanism is suggested.     

Uranyl extraction by beta-diketonate ligands to SC-CO2: theoretical studies on the effect of ligand fluorination and on the synergistic effect of TBP

We report theoretical investigations on the effect of H --> F substitution in acetylacetonate ligands in order to understand why fluorination promotes the extraction of uranyl to supercritical CO(2) with a marked synergistic effect of tri-n-butyl phosphate "TBP". The neutral LH and deprotonated L(-) forms of the ligand, and the uranyl complexes UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S (S = H(2)O versus trimethyl phosphate "TMP" which mimics TBP) are studied by quantum mechanics (QM) in the gas phase, whereas the ligands LH and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are studied by molecular dynamics (MD) in SC-CO(2) solution as well as at a CO(2)-water interface. Several effects are found to favor F ligands over the H ligands. (i) First, intrinsically (in the gas phase), the complexation reaction 2 LH + UO(2)(2+) --> UO(2)L(2) is more exothermic for the F ligands, mainly due to their higher acidity, compared to the H ligands. (ii) The unsaturated UO(2)L(2) complexes with F ligands bind more strongly TMP than H(2)O, thus preferentially leading to the UO(2)L(2)(TMP) complex, more hydrophobic than UO(2)L(2)(H(2)O). (iii) Molecular dynamics simulations of SC-CO(2) solutions show that the F ligands and their UO(2)L(2) and UO(2)L(2)S complexes are better solvated than their H analogues, and that the UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complex with F ligands is the most CO(2)-philic. (iv) Concentrated solutions of UO(2)L(2)(TBP) complexes at the CO(2)-water interface display an equilibrium between adsorbed and extracted species, and the proportion of extracted species is larger with F- than with H- ligands, in agreement with experimental observations. Thus, TBP plays a dual synergistic role: its co-complexation by UO(2)L(2) yields a hydrophobic and CO(2)-philic complex suitable for extraction, whereas TBP in excess at the interface facilitates the migration of the complex to the supercritical phase.     

Synthetic mixtures of thorium isotopes

A series of synthetic mixtures of thorium isotopes was prepared on a gravimetrical basis. The starting compounds consisted of natural thorium ²³²Th (99.99%) and highly enriched ²³⁰Th (99.8%). These materials were chemically purified and characterized for isotopic composition and chemical purity. Thorium dioxide (ThO₂) was demonstrated to be a suitable compound for gravimetrical blending. The isotope amount ratios in the mixtures ranged from 10⁻² to 3 × 10⁻⁶. These synthetic isotope mixtures are to our knowledge, the first ever prepared for thorium and may serve for calibration purposes.     

Studies on extraction of thorium from nitrate solutions with quaternary ammonium halides

Thorium can be quantitatively extracted with 0.1 M Hyamine 1622 in dichloroethane from 0.25M nitric acid/2M sodium nitrate and stripped from the organic phase with 0.1M sulphuric acid. The equilibration takes 20 min. Thorium can thus be separated from a large number of elements which are usually associated with it in monazite and in fission products of nuclear fuel.     

Some tendencies of the synergistic extraction of lanthanides with mixtures of thenoyltrifluoroacetone and trioctylamine

Solvent extraction of Pr, Gd and Yb with mixtures of HTTA andTOA has been investigated. The values of the synergistic equilibrium constant have been calculated. Some tendencies of the synergistic extraction of lanthanides have been discussed.

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Einige Tendenzen in der synergistischen Extraktion von Lanthaniden mit einer Mischung aus Thenoyltrifluoraceton und Trioctylamin (Kurze Mitteilung)

Zusammenfassung Es wurde die synergistische Extraktion von Pr, Gd und Yb mit einer Mischung aus HTTA undTOA untersucht. Die synergistishcen Gleichgewichtskonstanten wurden berechnet und die Auswirkungen spezifischer Versuchsbedingungen auf das Extraktionsgleichgewicht diskutiert.

     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) by Cyanex 301/alamine 308 and their mixtures with TBP/DDSO

Quantitative extraction of uranium(VI) is observed from 0.2M HCl by 5% (v/v) Cyanex 301. The extraction decreases with increasing acid concentration. Mixtures of Cyanex 301 with tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), didecyl sulfoxide (DDSO) and Alamine 308 result in significant synergism in the extraction process, where a species of the type UO₂R₂. L is proposed to be extracted [RH=Cyanex 301 and L=TBP, DDSO or Alamine 308]. Significant extraction of uranium(VI) by 5% (v/v) Alamine 308 is observed at and above 2M HCl, which increases with further increase in acidity attaining a maximum at 6M, after which a slight decrease in extration is observed. Mixtures of Alamine 308 with TBP or DDSO result in a synergism, where a species of the type (R ₃ NH)₂ UO₂Cl₄. Lis extracted. [R ₃ N=Alamine 308, L=TBP or DDSO]. Mixtures of Alamine 308 and Cyanex 301 at 2M HCl result in a profound antagonism in the extraction of uranium(VI).     

Solvent extraction of Tm(III) by sulfoxides and mixtures of DPSO (di-N-pentyl sulfoxide) and HTTA (thenoyl-trifluoroacetone) from perchlorate and thiocyanate media

Extraction of Tm(III), from thiocyanate media, by different sulfoxides (R₂SO) has revealed that the extractable complex is Tm(SCN)₃·4 R₂SO. When mixtures of DPSO and HTTA are used for the extraction of Tm(III) from thiocyanate or perchlorate media, synergistic enhancement of the extraction of Tm(III) results. The complexes responsible for the enhanced extraction are Tm(TTA)₃·DPSO and Tm(TTA)₃·2 DPSO when perchlorate media were employed for the extraction and Tm(SCN)(TTA)₂·2 DPSO and Tm(SCN)₂(TTA)·3 DPSO, in addition to the above two when a thiocyanate medium was employed for the extraction. Values of equilibrium constants for some equilibria encountered in the extraction of Am(III) and Tm(III) by mixtures of DPSO and HTTA are given.     

Synergic extraction of thorium by beta-isopropyltropolone-neutral donor combinations

The extraction of thorium by benzene solutions of HIPT in presence of different neutral extractants (S) was studied using perchloric, hydrochloric and sulphuric acids as aqueous media. With TBP as the donor the effect of the diluents CCl₄, benzene and CHCl₃ on the extraction was studied. The synergism observed was attributed to the formation of the extractable adduct Th(IPT)₄ · S and, in some cases, to the extraction of additional mixed adducts involving the participation of the anion of the aqueous medium used for extraction. The adduct formation constants for the formation of Th(IPT)₄ ·S were evaluated and the formation of this adduct was independently confirmed by spectrophotometric measurements. The aqueous complexing of thorium by IPT was investigated spectrophotometrically as these data were required for the quantitative interpretation of the extraction data.