Synergistic extraction and separation studies of uranium(VI)

A method is described for the extractive separation and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) from an aqueous solution of pH 5.0–7.0 using benzoylacetone (bzac) and pyridine (py) dissolved in toluene as extractants. The extracted species are UO₂(bzac(₂·2py. The method provides separation of uranium(VI) from lanthanum(III), samarium(III), neodymium(III), cerium(III) and thorium(IV). The method is precise, accurate, fast and selective.     

Organophosphinic,phosphonic acids and their binary mixtures as extractants for molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) from aqueous HCl media

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with organophosphoric, phosphinic acid and its thiosubstituted derivatives have been carried out from 0.1–1.0M HCl solutions. The extracted species are proposed to be UO₂R₂ and MoO₂ CIR on the basis of slope analysis for uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI), respectively. The extraction efficiencies of PC-88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 in the extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) are compared. Synergistic effects have been studied with binary mixtures of extractants. Separation of molybdenum(VI) from uranium(VI) is feasible by Cyanex 301 from 1M HCl, the separation factor log being 2.3.     

Solvent extraction and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde 2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone

Pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde 2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone (PAHB) is proposed as an extractant for the separation and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI). The optimum extraction conditions have been evaluated by studying various parameters such as pH, diluents, equilibration time and reagent concentration. PAHB forms yellow colored complex with uranium(VI) in the pH range of 3.5-4.6 which can be extracted by isobutyl methyl ketone. The extracted complex exhibits an absorption maximum at 375 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range 1.0-5.6 ppm of uranium(VI). The nature of the extracted species (1:2) was determined by log D-log c plot. The proposed method permits selective separation of uranium(VI) from its binary mixtures. The method is also applied for the estimation of uranium in multicomponent mixtures and monazite sand.     

Investigation of the interaction of ethyl acetoacetate with nano alumina particle as Lewis acid in acetonitrile solvent

The enol form of ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) displays interesting spectroscopic characteristics; this form of ethyl acetylacetate is very important in condensation reaction. In this investigation, we have studied the interactions and the complex formation constants (K _f) with nano alumina (10?C20 nm) particle and alumina (mesh 135) compounds as Lewis acids in the acetonitrile solvent using absorption spectroscopy and related calculations. Furthermore, in this study we calculated the thermodynamic parameters of this reaction. The trend of reactivity of the ethyl acetoacetate (EAA) complexes toward the above Lewis acids, based on the solvent as follows: nano alumina compound > alumina compound.     

Further development in the high-precision volumetric method for the determination of uranium in nuclear-grade uranium compounds

The high-precision uranium determination by reduction with ferrous sulfate in phosphoric acid and titration with dichromate, which is applicable to nuclear-grade uranium compounds in which the uranium exists nearly exclusively as U(IV), has been modified. The modification enlarges the range of applicability of the original method to include the analysis of uranium compounds in which the uranium exists as U(VI) or as a mixture of U(IV) and U(VI), such as U₃O₈. The modified method has the same precision, relative freedom from interferences and applicability for routine use as the original method.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) through reversed micelle by primary amine N1923

A study on extraction of uranium(VI) from sulfuric acid media by the primary amine N₁₉₂₃ in chloroform is described. Extraction coefficients of uranium(VI) as a function of aqueous H₂SO₄ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. From the data, the compositions of extracted species, equilibrium constants and enthalpies of extraction reaction have been evaluated. A new extraction mechanism of amine has been suggested, that is the formation of reversed micelle as a result of the aggregation of ammonium salt in the organic phase of the extraction. This assumption may be used for interpreting extraction data satisfactorily, which can not be explained by the slope analysis method.     

Spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid

Uranium(VI) and 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid form a 1:2 complex with λ_max at 355 nm, in aqueous medium at pH 6.6. A procedure for accurate spectrophotometric determination of hexavalent uranium with 7-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulphonic acid has been described. Optimum conditions, including the effect of pH, time, temperature, order of addition of the reagents, and excess of the reagent have been studied. Range for adherance to Beer's law, effective photometric range, molar absorptivity, and Sandell sensitivity have also been reported as 1–38 ppm, 5.7–28.5 ppm, 6575 and 0.036 μg of uranium/cm² respectively. The method has been compared with some other methods for determination of uranium spectrophotometrically, with regard to their sensitivities. Interferences of various ions in the measurement of the color have been investigated, and the tentative structure of the colored species in solution has been proposed.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) from nitric acid solution by N-alkylcaprolactam

Extraction of uranium(VI), thorium(IV) from nitric acid has been studied with N-octylcaprolactam and N-(2-ethyl)hexylcaprolactam. Distribution coefficients of U(VI), Th(IV) and HNO₃ as a function of aqueous NHO₃ concentration, extractant concentration and temperature have been studied. The compositions of extracted species, thermodynamic parameters of extraction have been evaluated. Third phase formation in extraction of U(VI) has been studied. Back extraction behavior of U(VI) and Th(IV) from the organic phase has also been tested. The results obtained are compared with those obtained by using TBP under the same experimental conditions.     

A modified method for the determination of uranium in Nb/Ta minerals by LED fluorimetry

A modified LED fluorimetry determination of uranium in Nb/Ta minerals has been developed. The mineral is brought into solution by fusion with mixed phosphate flux (NaH₂PO₄, H₂O and Na₂HPO₄). Iron quenches uranium fluorescence when it is present above the ratio of (iron to uranium) 100. Uranium is separated in ethyl acetate by solvent extraction and then stripped back into pyrophosphate buffer (pH ~ 7) prior to its LED fluorimetry determination. This modified method has been applied for the determination of uranium in synthetic mixtures and Nb/Ta minerals including Certified Reference Materials (X1807) with high degree of accuracy and precision.

     

Liquid-liquid extraction of Th4+ and UO 2 2+ by LIX-26 and its mixtures

Solvent extractions of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by a commercially available chelating extractant LIX-26 (an alkylated 8-hydroxyquinoline) or 8-hydroxyquinoline, benzoic or salicylic acid, dipentyl sulphoxide (DPSO) and their mixtures with butanol as modifier in benzene/methylisobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the diluent have been studied. Extraction of uranium(VI) by 10% LIX-26 and 10% butanol in benzene becomes quantitative at pH 5.0. The pH 0.5 values for the extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are 4.95 and 3.35, respectively. Quantitative extraction of thorium(IV) by the mixture of 0.1 M oxine and 0.1 M salicylic acid in methylisobutyl ketone was observed at pH 5.0. The influence of concentration of various anions on the extraction of Th⁴⁺ by mixtures of LIX-26 and benzoic acid has been studied. Studies on extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by mixtures of LIX-26 (HQ) and DPSO show that the extracted species are possibly of the type [ThQ₂/DPSO/₂/SCN/₂] and [UO₂Q₂/DPSO/], respectively.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions with bis(octylsulfinyl)ethane (BOSE)

The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of uranium(VI) from aqueous nitric acid with bis(octylsulfinyl)ethane (BOSE) in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane has been studied over a wide range of conditions. The extracted species appears to be UO₂(NO₃)₂·2BOSE. It was found that the extraction increases with increasing nitric acid concentration up to 7 mol/l and then decreased. Extraction also increases with increasing extractant concentration. The influence of temperature and salting-out agent concentration on the extraction equilibrium and stripping of uranium(VI) was also investigated and the enthalpy of the extraction reaction was obtained.     

Determination of Uranium in Natural Waters by Solid Phase Spectrometry

Abstract

A microdetermination method (at the μg1^?1 level) for uranium has been developed, based on Solid-Phase Spectrophotometry (SPS). The uranium reacts with pyridylazo-resorcinol in the presence of fluoride to form a 1:1:1 red ternary complex, which is fixed on an anion-exchange resin. The resin absorbance is measured directly, and allows the determination of uranium in the range of 1–10μg1^?1, with an RSD of 4%. The method has been applied to the determination of U(VI) in natural waters from wells located near the deposits of industrial wastes from a uranium mineral plant in Andujar (Spain).     

Extraction-photometric determination of uranium(IV) with chlorophosphonazo-III

A sensitive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of uranium. The uranium(IV)-chlorophosphonazo-III complex is extracted into 3-methyl-1-butanol from 1.5–3.0 M hydrochloric acid solution. Maximal absorbance occurs at 673 nm and Beer's law is obeyed over the range of 0–15 μg per 10 ml of the organic phase. The molar absorptivity is 12.1·10⁴ 1 mole^?1 cm^?1. Uranium can be determined in the presence of fluoride. sulfate and phosphate. Nitrate ion and elements (chromium, copper, iron) which affect the reduction of uranium(VI) or stability of uranium(IV) interfere.     

Synergistic extraction studies of uranium(VI) and plutonium(VI) with some β-diketones and heterocyclic N-oxides

The equilibrium constants for coordination of methyl substituted pyridine N-oxides with plutonium(VI) thenoyl trifluoroacetonate in chloroform (K_s) follow an order similar to those of the analogous uranium(VI) complexes indicating steric hindrance to bonding in the case of ortho substituted pyridine N-oxides. The extraction constants (k) of Pu(VI) chelates with various β-diketones are found to be only marginally higher than the values for the corresponding uranium(VI) chelates which is in conformity with the close similarity of the ionic radii of PuO ₂ ²⁺ and UO ₂ ²⁺ .     

Liquid-liquid extraction of some actinides with polyethyleneglycol and its derivatives

Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and its derivatives of high molecular weight were found to be employed as useful extractants for the solvent extraction of uranium. The extraction behaviors of uranium and neptunium were investigated, particularly concerning the dependence of the extractibility of uranium(VI) on the molecular weight of PEG. A dominating species of the extracted uranium(VI) thiocyanate complexes was assumed to be NH₄ UO₂(SCN)₃·(PEG). The extraction of protactinium was also preliminarily studied. The extraction of these actinides from an acidic thiocyanate solution increased in the order: uranium(VI)>protactinium(V)>neptunium(V).     

Extraction of uranium (VI) from sulfuric acid solution with TOPO

The extraction of uranium(VI) from sulfuric acid medium with tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in n-heptane was studied. Accompanied with the increase in the concentration of H₂SO₄, the distribution coefficient of uranium(VI) increased in the region of dilute sulfuric acid. When the concentration of H₂SO₄ surpassed 3.5 mol·dm⁻³, the distribution coefficient of uranium(VI) was at maximum. This result was due to the competition extraction between uranium(VI) and H₂SO₄. From the data, the composition of extracted species and the equilibrium constant of extraction reaction have been evaluated, which were (TOPOH)₂UO₂(SO₄)₂ (TOPO) and 10^7.6±0.15, respectively.     

Some studies on synergic extraction of mixed ligand species of uranium(VI)

The extraction of U(VI) by mixtures of HTTA and TBP from aqueous thiocyanate medium has been studied. From the data obtained it was observed that the predominant uranium species extracted, causing synergic enhancement in the extraction of U(VI), is UO₂(SCN)TTA · 2TBP when benzene and cyclohexane are used as diluents, and that at a very low concentration of TBP the contribution of additional species, viz. UO₂(TTA)₂ · TBP becomes significant. With chloroform as diluent, however, both of these species are contributing to the synergic enhancement. The extraction of a quaternary uranium species, UO₂(SCN)TTA · 2TBP, involving the participation of the aqueous anion is thus established. Equilibrium constants for the various extraction equilibria involved are calculated.     

Enhanced Spectrophotometry of Sulfonamides with Novel 2‐Acetylbutyrolactone Derivatives

Abstract

2‐Acetylbutyrolactone (ABL) has been characterized as a novel coupling reagent for the spectrophotometric analysis of primary arylamines. 2‐Acetylbutyrolactone is a cyclic β‐keto ester that forms colored α‐oxo‐γ‐butyrolactone arylhydrazones with primary arylamines through the Japp‐Klingemann reaction. The arylhydrazones can be measured spectrophotometrically in alkaline (A₅₃₂) and acidic solutions (¹D₃₄₉). A similar study on ethyl acetoacetate (EAA), as a coupling carbanion, was carried out. Ethyl acetoacetate is the acyclic β‐keto ester analog of ABL that forms colored azo derivatives with primary arylamines. The azo derivatives can be measured spectrophotometrically in alkaline solution (A₄₁₆). Four model sulfa drugs namely, sulfadiazine (SD), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfamoxole (SMO), and sulfametrole (SMR), were evaluated throughout the work. The chemistry and the pathway of the reactions of the two β‐keto esters (ABL and EAA) were discussed. Beer's law validation, accuracy, precision, limits of detection, and limits of quantification are presented in the text. The applicability of ABL and EAA was assessed through the analysis of the model drugs in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Amberlite XAD-4 functionalized with succinic acid for the solid phase extractive preconcentration and separation of uranium(VI)

Amberlite XAD-4 resin has been functionalized with succinic acid by coupling it with dibromosuccinic acid after acetylation. The resulting resin has been characterized by FT-IR, elemental analysis and TGA and has been used for preconcentrative separation of uranium(VI) from host of other inorganic species prior to its determination by spectrophotometry. The optimum pH value for quantitative sorption of uranium(VI) in both batch and column modes is 4.5-8.0 and desorption can be achieved by using 5.0 ml of 1.0 mol l⁻¹ HCl. The sorption capacity of functionalized resin is 12.3 mg g⁻¹. Calibration graphs were rectilinear over the uranium(VI) concentrations in the range 5-200 μg l⁻¹. Five replicate determinations of 50 μg of uranium(VI) present in 1000 ml of solution gave a mean absorbance of 0.10 with a relative standard deviation of 2.56%. The detection limit corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank was found to be 2 μg l⁻¹. Various cationic and anionic species at 200-fold amounts do not interfere during the preconcentration of 5.0 μg of uranium(VI) present in 1000 ml (batch) or 100 ml (column) of sample solution. Further, adsorption kinetic and isotherm studies were also carried out by a batch method to understand the nature of sorption of uranium(VI) with the succinic acid functionalized resin. The accuracy of the developed solid phase extractive preconcentration method in conjunction with Arsenazo III procedure was tested by analyzing marine sediment (MESS-3) and soil (IAEA soil-7) reference material. Further, the above procedure has been successfully employed for the analysis of soil and sediment samples.     

Spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of uranium with 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol at a nuclear reprocessing facility

A simple method for the determination of uranium in process- and waste-stream samples at a nuclear fuel reprocessing facility that can be applied entirely in a remote environment is described. The method is both sensitive and selective enough to be applicable for almost any uranium determination. Uranium in aqueous samples is extracted as a nitrate complex into 4-methylpentan-2-one (hexone) from an acid-deficient aluminium nitrate salting solution. An aliquot of the hexone extract is then mixed with a solution containing methanol, pyridine and 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol (Br-PADAP). The absorbance of the U(VI)-Br- PADAP complex is measured at 580 nm. The detection limit for uranium is 0.8 μg with the linear range extending to 80 μg. Interference studies, modifications for organic samples and solid-containing samples and process laboratory data are presented.