Neutron activation analysis in forensic investigations: Trace elements characterization of cigarettes

A new type of silica-based chelating extraction resin, DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂-P, was prepared by impregnating a crown ether derivative, 4,4￠,(5￠)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), into the porous silica/polymer composite particles (SiO₂-P). The adsorption of Sr(II) and some other fission product elements was investigated by a batch adsorption experiment in HNO₃ This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

SPEC Process II. Adsorption of strontium and some typical co-existent elements contained in high level liquid waste onto a macroporous silica-based crown ether impregnated functional composite

To separate Sr(II), one of the heat emitting nuclides, from high level liquid waste (HLLW), a macroporous silica-based DtBuCH18C6 polymeric composite, DtOct/SiO₂-P, was synthesized by means of molecular modification of 4,4′,(5′)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuC H18C6) with a long-chain 1-octanol. It was performed by impregnating and immobilizing DtBuCH18C6 and 1-octanol molecules into the pores of the SiO₂-P particles, the macroporous silica-based support. The adsorption of Sr(II) and some co-existent typical elements Na(I), K(I), Cs(I), Ru(III), Mo(VI), Pd(II), Ba(II), La(III), and Y(III) contained in highly active liquid waste (HLW) towards DtOct/SiO₂-P was investigated at 323 K. The effects of contact time and the concentration of HNO₃ in a range of 0.1–5.0M on the adsorption of the tested metals were examined. The macroporous silica-based DtOct/SiO₂-P polymeric composite showed strong adsorption ability and high selectivity for Sr(II) over all of the tested metals except Ba(II). The optimum acidity of Sr(II) adsorption onto DtOct/SiO₂-P was determined to be 2.0M HNO₃. The bleeding behavior of DtOct/SiO₂-P in aqueous phase was evaluated using total organic carbon (TOC) analysis. The content of TOC increased with increasing the HNO₃ concentration and contact time. It resulted from the decrease in the stability of the associated species, C₈H₁₇-OH• DtBuCH18C6 formed through hydrogen binding, because of high temperature.     

Bleeding evaluation of the stationary phase from a few novel macroporous silica-substrate polymeric materials used for radionuclide partitioning from HLLW in MAREC process

Summary To separate minor actinides from HLLW by extraction chromatography, a few novel silica-based di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP), 4,4¢,(5¢)-di(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6), octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide (CMPO), and N,N,N¢,N¢-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide (TODGA) polymeric adsorption materials (HDEHP/SiO₂-P, DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂-P, CMPO/SiO₂-P, and TODGA/SiO₂-P) were synthesized by impregnating HDEHP, DtBuCH18C6, CMPO, and TODGA into the pores of porous SiO₂-P particles, which were the new kind of inorganic/organic composites consisted of macroporous SiO₂ and copolymer. The bleeding behavior of these composites was investigated by examining the effect of contact time and HNO₃ concentration. It was found that in the tested HNO₃ concentration range, a noticeable quantity of DtBuCH18C6, at least 600 ppm, leaked out from DtBuCH18C6/SiO₂-P because of the protonation of DtBuCH18C6 with hydrogen ion, while the others were lower and basically equivalent to the solubility of HDEHP, CMPO, or TODGA in corresponding acidities solutions. Based on the batch experiment, the bleeding of CMPO/SiO₂-P and TODGA/SiO₂-P, the main adsorbents used in MAREC process for HLLW partitioning, was evaluated by column operation in 0.01M HNO₃ and 3M HNO₃. The quantity of CMPO leaked was ~48 ppm in 0.01M HNO₃ and ~37 ppm in 3.0M HNO₃. The bleeding of TODGA decreased from 23.2 ppm to 7.27 ppm at the initial stage and then basically kept constant. An actual bleeding of TODGA was evaluated by the separation of Sr(II) from a 2.0M HNO₃ solution containing 5.0 ^. 10^-3M of 6 typically simulated elements.     

Modification of a novel macroporous silica-based crown ether impregnated polymeric composite with 1-dodecanol and its adsorption for some fission and non-fission products contained in high level liquid waste

A novel macroporous silica-based chelating polymeric composite, DtDo/SiO₂-P, was synthesized by molecular modification of 4,4′,(5′)-di-(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) with a long carbon chain organic compound 1-dodecanol. It was performed through impregnation and immobilization of DtBuCH18C6 and 1-dodecanol molecules into the pores of the SiO₂-P particles. The adsorption of a few fission and non-fission product elements Sr(II), Ba(II), Cs(I), Ru(III), Mo(VI), Na(I), K(I), Pd(II), La(III), and Y(III) onto DtDo/SiO₂-P was investigated at 323 K. The effects of contact time and the HNO₃ concentration in a range of 0.1-4.0 M were investigated. It was found that at the optimum concentration of 2.0 M HNO₃, DtDo/SiO₂-P exhibited strong adsorption ability and excellent selectivity for Sr(II) over all of the tested elements, which showed very weak or almost no adsorption except Ba(II). The bleeding of total organic carbon (TOC) from DtDo/SiO₂-P was evaluated. The quantity of TOC in aqueous phase increased with an increase in HNO₃ concentration in terms of a linear equation [TOC] = 35.82[HNO₃] + 115.5 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9751. The TOC content leaked from DtDo/SiO₂-P modified by 1-dodecanol, 119.0-269.3 ppm, in the range of 1.0-4.0 M HNO₃ was significantly lower than that of 424.8-634.6 ppm in the case without modification. It resulted from the intermolecular interaction force of DtBuCH18C6 and 1-dodecanol through hydrogen bonding. The reduction of DtBuCH18C6 leakage by molecular modification was achieved. It is of great benefit to application of DtDo/SiO₂-P in partitioning of Sr(II), one of the main heat generators, from high level liquid waste (HLLW) in reprocessing process of nuclear spent fuel in MAREC (Minor Actinides Recovery from HLLW by Extraction Chromatography) process developed.     

Separation of strontium ions from a simulated highly active liquid waste using a composite of silica-crown ether in a polymer

To partition Sr(II) from highly active liquid waste (HLW), a macroporous silica-based 4,4',(5')-di(t-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6)-tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) polymeric composite, (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO(2)-P, was synthesized. It was done by impregnation and immobilization of DtBuCH18C6 and TBP into the pores of the SiO(2)-P particles, where DtBuCH18C6 was modified with TBP. The sorption of Sr(II) and some co-existent elements contained in a simulated HLW onto (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO(2)-P was investigated at 323 K. It was found that in 2.0 M HNO(3), Sr(II) exhibited strong sorption ability and high selectivity over all the tested metals except Ba(II). Chromatographic partitioning of Sr(II) from 2.0 M HNO(3) containing 5 mM of the tested elements was performed by (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO(2)-P packed column. La(III), Y(III), Na(I), K(I), Cs(I), Ru(III), Mo(VI), and Pd(II) had almost no sorption and flowed into effluent along with 2.0 M HNO(3). Sr(II) adsorbed strongly by (DtBuCH18C6+TBP)/SiO(2)-P was then eluted effectively by water, while Ba(II) flowed into effluent along with Sr(II) due to the similar chemical properties. In addition, the bleeding of total organic carbon in aqueous phase was evaluated. The results demonstrated that in 2.0 M HNO(3), application of the macroporous silica-based DtBuCH18C6 polymeric composite in chromatographic partitioning of Sr(II) from the simulated HLW is feasible.     

Adsorption characteristics and radiation stability of a silica-based DtBuCH18C6 adsorbent for Sr(II) separation in HNO3 medium

A silica-based adsorbent, (DtBuCH18C6 + dodecanol)/SiO₂-P, which is used for selective separation of Sr(II) from high level liquid wastes, against temperature and gama-irradiation was investigated. The adsorption characteristics of Sr(II), Ba(II), La(III), Nd(III), Gd(III) and Dy(III) under varying nitric acid concentration at different temperatures were measured by batch method. The adsorbent showed higher distribution coefficients (K _d) for Sr(II) compared to other tested metal ions, and the K _d values of Sr(II) decreased with increasing temperature. Thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process were calculated. The related parameters in adsorption isotherm models were obtained using a non-linear fitting. Uptake capacity from 0.38 to 0.43 mmol g^?1 was obtained for Sr(II) in the temperature range of 298–323 K by the Langmuir equation fitting. The leakage of total organic carbon was below 120 ppm at 298 K and 180 ppm at 323 K, respectively. The degradation of the adsorbent irradiated in 2 M HNO₃ was investigated. It is found that the adsorbed dose of γ-ray more than 50 KGy has a strong influence on K _d of Sr(II). The K _d values of Sr(II) decrease about 3 times ranged from 50 to 500 KGy.     

Adsorption behavior of Me2-CA-BTP/SiO2-P adsorbent toward MA(III) and Ln(III) in nitrate solution

A porous Me₂-CA-BTP/SiO₂-P adsorbent was prepared to separate MA(III) from Ln(III) in high level liquid waste (HLLW). The adsorption behavior of Me₂-CA-BTP/SiO₂-P toward ²⁴¹Am(III) and Ln(III) in 0.01 M HNO₃-NaNO₃ solution was studied. Me₂-CA-BTP/SiO₂-P showed high adsorption and selectivity toward ²⁴¹Am(III) over Ln(III) fission products with the separation factor (SF) reaching to 557, 2355, 1952, 1082, 214, 105, 86, 14 for Y, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd and Dy respectively in 0.01 M HNO₃-0.99 M NaNO₃ solution. The adsorption kinetics of both Dy(III) and Eu(III) on Me₂-CA-BTP/SiO₂-P was studied and followed pseudo-second-order rate equation indicating chemical sorption as the rate-limiting step of the adsorption, and the adsorption isotherm of Dy(III) and Eu(III) matched better with the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm with the adsorption amount around 0.22 and 0.20 mmol/g respectively. Thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption of both Dy(III) and Eu(III) on Me₂-CA-BTP/SiO₂-P was spontaneous and endothermic processes with a positive entropy at 298, 308, 313 K.     

Stability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">iso</Emphasis>Hex-BTP/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-P adsorbent against acidic hydrolysis and γ-irradiation

Separation of trivalent minor actinides (MA(III): Am(III), Cm(III)) from fission products (FP) in high-level liquid waste (HLLW) is an important task in advanced nuclear-fuel reprocessing systems. For this purpose, an advanced aqueous partitioning process based on extraction chromatography method was studied. Because R-BTP extractants (R-BTP: 2,6-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine, R = alkyl group) exhibit high selectivity for MA(III) over trivalent rare-earth elements (RE(III)), a novel adsorbent isoHex-BTP/SiO₂-P was prepared by impregnating isoHex-BTP extractant into the macroporous SiO₂-P support with a mean diameter of 60 μm. The stability of isoHex-BTP/SiO₂-P against nitric acid and γ-irradiation was investigated. It was found that isoHex-BTP/SiO₂-P adsorbent shows good adsorption affinity to Dy(III). The hydrolytic and radiolytic stability of isoHex-BTP/SiO₂-P adsorbent in 0.01 mol/L HNO₃ was fairly promising. However, the adsorption amount Q of Dy(III) decreased dramatically in 3 mol/L HNO₃ with the increase of the absorbed dose and became nearly zero at the absorbed dose over 46 kGy. These results suggest that with the synergetic effect of radiation and acidic hydrolysis, the adsorbent instantly loses its efficacy.     

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone

Summary Acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone (PhCONHN=CMe)₂ CH₂(LH₂) and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone (NC₅H₄CONHN=CMe)₂CH₂(LH₂) complexes of the types [ML] and [ML] (M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II or Zn^II) have been prepared and characterized. All the complexes are non-electrolytes and the cobalt(II) complexes are lowspin, the nickel(II) complexes are diamagnetic and the copper(II) complexes are paramagnetic. The ligands chelate via two C=N groups and two deprotonated enolate groups. The e.s.r. spectra of the copper(II) complexes indicate a tetragonally distorted dimeric structure. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [CoL] and [NiL] correspond to a tetragonal crystal lattice.     

Cation exchange column chromatography in aqueous ammonium acetate: Separation of U(VI), Al(III), Sr(II), Ba(II) and Hg(II) from other metal ions

Summary A rigorous analysis of the effect of various concentrations (0.02–1.60M) of ammonium acetate on the distribution coefficients (K) of a number of metal ions using cation exchanger Dowex 50W-X8 (100–200 mesh NH₄ ⁺-form) has been made. On account of the low affinity of U(VI) for resin in 0.20M NH₄OAc it can be separated from all other metal ions. HighK values of Sr(II), Ba(II) and Hg(II) at higher 0.50M NH₄OAc are responsible for their separation from others. The abnormal column Chromatographic behaviour of Al(III) permits its separation from other metal ions including U(VI), Sr(II), Ba(II), Hg(II). A number of binary and ternary separations have been achieved.     

Ein einfacher Weg zu α-substituierten (E)-3-Oxo-1-alkenylphosphonsäureestern

Zusammenfassung -Substituierte -Acylvinylphosphonate3 mitE-Konfiguration [R ²CO-CH=C(R ¹)-P(O)(OR)₂], werden in guten Ausbeuten durchWittig-Reaktion von Acylphosphonsäureestern1 [R ¹CO-P(O)(OR)₂,R ¹=Alkyl oder Aryl] mit (2-Oxoalkyliden)triphenylphosphoranen2 [R ²CO-CH=PPh ₃,R ²=Alkyl, O-Alkyl oder CH₂ X (X=Br, OMe, CO₂ Et)] erhalten.

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A convenient route to -substituted dialkyl (E)-3-oxo-1-alkenylphosphonates

-Substituted dialkyl (E)--acylvinylphosphonates [R ²CO-CH=C(R ¹)-P(O)(OR)₂,3], are easily obtained in good yields byWittig-reaction of dialkyl acylphosphonates1 [R ¹CO-P(O)(OR)₂,R ¹=alkyl or aryl) with 2-oxoalkylidene triphenylphosphoranes2 [R ²CO-CH=PPh ₃,R ²=alkyl, O-alkyl and CH₂ X (X=Br, OMe, CO₂ Et)].

     

Characteristic of the Ag(II)/Ag(I) system in the presence of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine in acetonitrile

Summary Composition of complexes of Ag(II) and Ag(I) ions with 2,2:6,2-terpyridine (tp) have been established. It has been found that the Ag⁺ ion forms only one complex Ag(tp)⁺ withtp in acetonitrile; its conditional formation constant: ₀₁=6.6·10⁴ has been determined by the potentiometric method. Equilibria and redox systems formed in solutions due to the complexation of Ag⁺ and Ag²⁺ and oxidation of Ag(II) complexes are described. Their formal potentials have been found by coulometric and voltamperometric examinations. The presence of the Ag(tp) ₂ ³⁺ ion in the anodic oxidized solutions of the complexes Ag(tp)(NO₃)₂ and Ag(tp)₂(NO₃)₂ has been proved. Properties of the system Ag(II)/Ag(I) in the presence of terpyridine in water and in acetonitrile have been compared.

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Charakteristik der Systeme Ag(II)/Ag(I) in Gegenwart von 2,2:6,2-Terpyridin in Acetonitril

Zusammenfassung Die Zusammensetzung der Komplexe von Ag(I)- und Ag(II)-Ionen mit 2,2:6,2-Terpyridin (tp) wurde bestimmt. Das Ag⁺-Ion bildet mittp in Acetonitril nur einen Komplex-Ag(tp)⁺. Seine Konditionalbildungskonstante ₀₁=6.6·10⁴ wurde mit Hilfe der potentiometrischen Methode bestimmt. Es wurden die Gleichgewichte und Redoxsysteme als Resultat der Komplexbildung von Ag(II)- und Ag(I)-Ionen und der Ag(II)-Komplexoxidation charakterisiert und die Formalpotentiale mittels Voltametrie und Coulometrie bestimmt. Die Gegenwart der Ag(tp) ₂ ³⁺ -Ionen wurde in anodisch oxydierten Lösungen der Komplexe Ag(tp)(NO₃)₂ und Ag(tp)₂(NO₃)₂ nachgewiesen. Die Eigenschaften des Systems Ag(II)/Ag(I) in Gegenwart von 2,2:6,2-Terpyridin in Wasser und in Acetonitril wurden verglichen.

     

Synthesis of new dinuclear dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes. The kinetics of catechol oxidase and electrochemistry of a dicopper(II) complex

A new dinuclear ligand L, ethylene[OO-bis-salicylidene--diketone] bearing two symmetrical coordination sites was synthesized by the condensation of salicylaldehyde and acetylacetone, L, with 1,2-dibromoethane under reflux. The ligand L in a 1:1 ratio was treated with CuCl₂ and NiCl₂ to yield the complexes, tetrachloro bis[OO-bis- salicylidene--diketone copper(II)] and bis[OO-bis-salicylidene--diketone nickel(II)] chloride. The complexes were subsequently characterized by spectroscopic techniques, elemental analysis, i.r., ¹H-n.m.r., ¹³C-n.m.r., u.v.–vis., e.p.r. spectroscopy, and conductance measurements. The conductance measurements in DMF reveal that the Cu^II complex is covalent while the Ni^II complex is ionic and the spectral data support the Cu^II complex to be distorted octahedral whereas the Ni^II complex has square-planar geometry. The dioxygen binding was studied spectrophotometrically by the oxidation of tetrachloro bis[OO-bis-salicylidene--diketone copper(II)] with pyrocatechol in the presence of oxygen. The kinetic experiments were performed with the copper complex in DMF by monitoring the increase in absorbance over time at pH 8.0 in the presence of pyrocatechol at 25 °C. The kinetic parameters V_max and K_M were determined on the Michaelis–Menten Approach. Redox behavior of the dinuclear copper(II) complex was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of O₂ with the pyrocatechol (substrate) and also without the substrate. The large difference in potentials E⁰ is indicative of reversible oxygen binding of the complex and distinct catalytic activity.     

Extraction-spectrophotometric determination of traces of copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II) and mercury(II) with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol

Summary Sensitive extraction-spectrophotometric procedures are described for the complexes of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) with 5-Br-PADAP using chloroform as solvent. Optimal conditions have been established for the quantitative extraction of the metal chelates and their composition and optical characteristics have been determined as well. The conditional extraction constants amount logK _ex=10, the molar absorptivities of the complexes being 10⁵ l·mole^–1·cm^–1. Job's method and equilibrium shift method indicate the molar ratios M5-Br-PADAP=12.

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Spektralphotometrische Bestimmung von Spuren Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) und Hg(II) mit 2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (5-Br-PADAP)

Zusammenfassung Einfache und empfindliche Methoden zur extraktionsspektralphotometrischen Bestimmung von Spuren Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) und Hg(II) mit 5-Br-PADAP wurden beschrieben. Chloroform wurde als Extraktionsmittel verwendet. Die optimalen Bedingungen für die quantitative Extraktion der Metallchelate wurden ermittelt und deren Zusammensetzung bestimmt. Die Stabilitätskonstanten haben hohe Werte (logK _ex=10), die molare Absorption der Komplexe beträgt 10⁵1·mol^–1·cm^–1. Das Molarverhältnis der Komplexe beträgt M5-Br-PADAP=12.

     

Synthesis and application of a macroporous silica-based polymeric octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphoshine oxide composite for the chromatographic separation of high level liquid waste

Summary The Minor Actinides Recovery from HLW by Extraction Chromatography (MAREC) process was used mainly for the separation of minor actinides (MAs) and some specific fission products (FPs) from highly active liquid waste (HLW) by the composite CMPO/SiO₂-P of the macroporous silica based polymeric octyl(phenyl)-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphoshine oxide (CMPO) and others. In this study a cascade of chromatographic separation was performed on a 3.0M HNO₃ solution containing 5.0 ^. 10^-3M of 13 elements, at 323 K. The cascade consisted of three columns the first and second ones were packed with CMPO/SiO₂-P and the third with SiO₂-P particles. The first column was employed to prepare various eluents containing saturated CMPO. The second column was used for separation into groups. The CMPO of CMPO/SiO₂-P was recovered from the effluent by the third column and a CMPO-free effluent containing minor actinides was obtained. The elements contained in the simulated HLW of 3.0M HNO₃ were separated into (1) a non-adsorption group (Sr, Cs, and Ru etc.), (2) a MA-hRE (heavy rare earth)-Mo-Zr group, and (3) a lRE (light rare earth) group by eluting with 3.0M HNO₃, 0.05M DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) (pH 2.0) and HNO₃ (pH 3.5), respectively. The resultant MA-hRE-Mo-Zr mixture containing minor actinides was then separated into the groups (1) Pd-Ru, (2) MA-hRE, and (3) Mo-Zr by utilizing 3.0M HNO₃, distilled water, and 0.05M DTPA (pH 2.0) as eluents. More than 92% of CMPO in the MA-hRE containing effluent was adsorbed by SiO₂-P particles. The effectivity and technical feasibility of MAREC process were demonstrated.     

Solvent extraction of univalent and bivalent metal picrates with 1,2-bis[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy] benzene (noncyclic crown ether) into CHCl3

The overall extraction equilibrium constants, K_ex, of 1:1:m complexes of 1,2-bis[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxyjbenzene (AC · B18C6) with uni- and bivalent metal picrates, MA _m were determined at 25°C between CHCl₃ and water, and thereby the ion-pair complex-formation constants,K _MLA,o, of AC · B18C6 with the univalent metal picrates in CHCl₃ were calculated. The AC · B18C6 is an open-chain analog of benzo-18-crown-6 (B18C6). The equilibrium constants of AC · B18C6 were compared with those of B18C6. K_ex sequences of AC · B18C6 for uni- and bivalent metals are Tl⁺ > K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Cs⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺ and Pb²⁺ > Ba²⁺ > Sr²⁺, respectively. The same extraction-selectivity was observed for B18C6, but the extractability of AC · B18C6 for the same cation is much lower than that of B18C6; the extraction selectivity of AC · B18C6 for alkali metals is lower than that of B18C6. TheK _MLA,o sequence of AC · B18C6 is K⁺ > Rb⁺ > Tl⁺ > Cs⁺ Na⁺, which is consistent with that of B18C6. ButK _MLA,o of AC · B18C6 is much smaller than the correspondingK _MLA,o of B18C6; the selectivity of AC · B18C6 among alkali metal picrates in CHCl₃ is lower than that of BI8C6. This reflects the difference in the structures between AC · B18C6 (acyclic and flexible) and B18C6 (cyclic and rigid).     

Recovery and purification of Sr(II) in perchloric acid medium

Perchloric acid was found to be a suitable medium for the quantitative leaching of Sr(II) from homogeneous and calcined (Th,Sr)O₂ particularly with respect to the contamination from Th(IV). ⁹⁰Sr is a cause of major concern to the environment due to its long half life (28.6 years), significant abundance in large inventory of spent nuclear fuels (~350 thousand tons) awaiting geological disposal and its chemical similarity to Ca(II), an essential element for the living beings. Application of ⁹⁰Sr as a parent radionuclide for ⁹⁰Y (used in therapy radiopharmaceuticals) is possible provided it can be made available at desired high purity. In this context, the distribution coefficients of Sr(II), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Y(III), ¹⁵²Eu(III) and ¹³⁷Cs(I) were determined using Sr selective crown ether 4,4′(5′)-di-tert-butyl-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 by solid–liquid extraction in perchloric acid medium. Feasibility of employing extraction chromatography using Sr selective resin for the recovery and purification of Sr(II) from leached perchloric acid medium was explored. Perchloric acid medium is better than nitric acid medium for the uptake of Sr by Sr selective chromatographic resin under varying loading conditions of Sr(II). Similarly pH 2 solution appears better eluent of Sr(II) than distilled water. Present work offers a novel approach for setting up a ⁹⁰Sr–⁹⁰Y generator.     

Metal complexes of sulfur-nitrogen chelating agents. Part 12. The chemistry of nickel(II), palladium(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes of N2S2 and N3S2 donor systems

Summary Nickel(II), palladium(II), cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes of the ligandN,N-1,2-propane-bis(methyl 2-amino-cyclopent-1-ene-dithiocarboxylate) (H₂L¹),N,N-1,3-propane-bis(methyl 2-aminocyclopent-1-ene-dithiocarboxylate) (H₂L²) andN,N-[bis(methyl 2-aminocyclopent-1-ene-dithiocarboxylate)] diethylenetriamine (H₂L³) have been synthesised. Both H₂L¹ and H₂L² form complexes of the type ML, and all but the copper(II) complexes, are square planar. In the copper(II) complexes tetrahedral distortion is significantly more with CuL². From H₂L³ square planar complexes of the type [M(HL³)X] (M=Ni, X=Cl, Br, I or SCN; M=Pd, X=Cl or Br) have been obtained in which the donor unit involved is N₂SX. The composition of the cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes is [M(H₂L³)X₂] (X=Cl or Br) which contain the chromophore [MN₃X₂].     

Indoor 222Rn concentrations and the corresponding lung cancer risk in Celein region, west of Al Khums, Libya

Paramagnetic products stabilized in both 4,4′(5′)-di-(tert-butylcyclohexano)-18-crown-6 (DtBuCH18C6) and its solution in 1-octanol upon low temperature (77 K) X-rays irradiation were studied by ESR spectroscopy. Macrocyclic –O–ĊH–CH₂– radicals and acyclic O = C(H)–ĊH–O– radicals were found as main radiolysis products in neat DtBuCH18C6. Fraction of acyclic radicals resulting from the macrocycle cleavage was about 50%. No radical products resulted from t-Bu and cyclohexyl fragments were observed. It was concluded that the primary events were essentially concerned with ionization of the polyether moiety. Irradiation of frozen DtBuCH18C6 solutions in 1-octanol resulted in formation of radicals both from crown ether and alcohol.     

Cobalt(II) halide complexes with imidazolidine-2-selone derivatives

Summary CoL₂X₂ (X = Cl, Br or I) complexes were obtained by reacting cobalt(II) halides withN-methyl-,N-ethyl-,N,N-dimethyl- andN,N-diethyl-imidazolidine-2-selone. The same ligands with cobalt(II) tetrafluoroborate gave CoL₄(BF₄)₂ complexes only with the disubstituted ligands. On the basis of i.r. and electronic spectra all the complexes are considered to be Se-bonded to the metal with a tetrahedral stereochemistry, as supported by magnetic measurements and colours. The ligand field parameters (Dq, B and ) for the [CoL₄]²⁺ ion are evaluated by using the averaged ligand field approximation. The influence of the substituents on these parameters are discussed and compared with those obtained for the analogous complexes with the sulphur parent ligands.This work was partially supported by C.N.R. of Rome, Italy.