Solvent Extraction of Uranium(VI), Plutonium(VI) and Americium(III) with HTTA/HPMBP Using Mono- and Bi-Functional Neutral Donors: Synergism and Thermodynamics

Synergistic extraction of hexavalent uranium and plutonium as well as trivalent americium was studied in HNO₃ with thenoyl, trifluoro-acetone (HTTA)/1-phenyl, 3-methyl, 4-benzoyl pyrazolone-5 (HPMBP) in combination with neutral donors viz, DPSO, TBP, TOPO (mono-functional) and DBDECMP, DHDECMP, CMPO (bi-functional) with wide basicity range using benzene as dileunt. A linear correlation was observed when the equilibrium constant log Ks for the organic phase synergistic reaction of both U(VI) and Pu(VI) with either of the chelating agents HTTA or HPMBP was plotted vs. the basicity (log Kh) of the donor (both mono- and bi-functional) indicating bi-functional donors also behave as mono-functional. This was supported by the thermodynamic data (G ⁰, H ⁰, S ⁰) obtained for these systems. The organic phase adduct formation reactions were identified for the above systems from the thermodynamic data. In the Am(III) HTTA system log K _s values of bi-functional donors were found to be very high and deviate from the linear plot (log K _s vs. log K _h ) obtained for mono-functional donors, indicating that they function as bi-functional for the Am(III)/HTTA system studied. This was supported by high +ve S ⁰ values obtained for this system.     

Extraction of Am(III) by mixture of dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate and tributyl phosphate in benzene from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of Am(III) by dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (CMP) in benzene from nitric acid solutions (pH 2.0 to 6.0M) has been studied. High extraction of Am(III) by CMP from 2–3M HNO₃ was observed. The species extracted was found to be Am(NO₃)₃·3CMP. The extraction was also done with mixtures of CMP+TBP and CMP+TOPO, where mixed species were extracted in the organic phase. The back-extraction experiments gave an efficient back-extraction of Am(III) by pH 2.0 (HNO₃) from the loaded CMP+TBP phase but a poor back-extraction from the loaded CMP+TOPO phase. The loading of Nd(III) by mixture of CMP and TBP was 50% of the CMP concentrations at a total Nd(III) concentration of 0.182M. The thermodynamic parameters of Am(III) extraction by a mixture of CMP and TBP were evaluated by temperature variation method, which suggests that the two-phase reaction is stabilized by enthalpy and opposed by entropy.     

Determination of trace elements in wool fibre by instrumental neutron activation analysis and relation between trace element contents and quality of wool

Synergistic extraction of uranyl ion with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and aliphatic amides with varying basicities, viz. dibutyl hexanamide (DBHA), dibutyloctanamide (DBOA) or dibutyldecanamide (DBDA) has been studied at various fixed temperatures of 20, 30, 40 and 50±0.1°C. Results indicate that the equilibrium constants of the organic phase addition reaction (Ks) with these amides follow their order of basicity (Kh) viz. DBHA (0.09)<0.10) H DBOA (0.13) with log Ks values of 4.91, 4.99 and 5.02, respectively. These values are much higher than those with TBP (3.8) or sulfoxides (4) as donors. This may be attributed to the existence of a resonance form of the amide, which has higher electron density on the carbonyl oxygen. The thermodynamic parameters associated with these systems evaluated by the temperature coefficient method indicate that the organic phase addition reaction with all the three amides is stabilized by both enthalpy and entropy changes as against UO ₂ ²⁺ /HTTA/TBP system, where only the enthalpy change contributes to the stabilization.     

Extraction of uranium(VI) and plutonium(IV) with some aliphatic amides

Extraction of uranium(VI) and plutonium(IV) has been studied with N,N-dibutyl derivatives of hexanamide (DBHA), octanamide (DBOA) and decanamide (DBDA) at various fixed temperatures of 20, 30, 40 and (50±0.1)°C. The equilibrium constants for the uptake of nitric acid (K_h, a measure of their relative basicities) by these amides were evaluated by the usual method. The equilibrium constants for the extraction of uranium as well as plutonium with all the three amides follow their order of basicity (K_h) viz. DBHA (0.09)<DBOA (0.10)<DBDA (0.13) with log K values of 1.31, 1.43 and 1.73 for uranium and 3.55, 3.65 and 4.17 for plutonium, respectively. It has been observed that whereas uranium(VI) is extracted as a disolvate (similar to TBP and sulfoxides), plutonium(IV) has been found to be extracted as a trisolvate. The thermodynamic parameters evaluated by the usual temperature coefficient method indicate that the extraction reactions of uranium as well as plutonium are stabilized by negative enthalpy change only.     

Solvatochromic equilibria of cobalt(II) chloride in binary mixtures of dipolar aprotic solvents with water

The visible absorption spectra of CoCl₂ in binary mixtures of acetone, dmf, dma and dmso with H₂O show the existence of configuration equilibria between tetrahedral (T) and octahedral (O) species. Linear correlations between the values of log K (K = [O]/[T]) and the mole fraction of H₂O, _w, have been observed in all the systems under study; their slopes decrease linearly with an increase of the donor number, DN, of the organic component of the mixture. The formation of octahedral species is enthalpy favoured but entropy disfavoured. It was found that both H and S values change linearly with _w and the slopes of these relationships depend clearly on the DN values.     

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.     

Extraction of actinides with tropolone

The partition coefficient of tropolone in xylene, dichloroethane and chloroform was determined from 0.05M HCl medium. The values obtained were 5.6, 25.5 and 43, respectively. In the extraction of UO ₂ ²⁺ using tropolone (HT) in xylene from an aqueous medium of ionic strength 0.05, the species UO₂T₂·HT was established. The species extracted in presence of a neutral donor was found to be UO₂T₂·S[S+dioctyl sulfide (DOS), dibutylhexanamide (DBHA), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), dioctyl sulfoxide (DOSO), and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO)]. The equilibrium constant of complex formation between the self-adduct and the neutral donor was calculated and was found to follow the basicity order (DOS«DBHA<TBP<DOSO»TOPO). The thermodynamic parameters of the adduct UO₂T₂·DOSO were also calculated by the temperature coefficient method. The values of free energy, enthalpy and entropy changes obtained were ?1.26 kJ·mol^?1, ?1.98 kJ/mol and ?2.5 J·mol^?1·deg^?1, respectively.     

Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) and molybdenium(VI) by Alamine 310 and its mixtures from aqueous H3PO4 solution

Liquid-liquid extraction of uranium (VI) from aqueous phosphoric acid solution by triisodecylamine (Alamine 310), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), di-n-pentyl sulfoxide (DPSO) and their mixtures in benzene in the range 1–10M aqueous H₃PO₄ shows that extraction is maximum (80%) in the higher acidity range 6–8 M. Extraction of this metal ion by bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinicacid (Cyanex 301) and its mixtures studied in the range 0.2–1.0M aqueous H₃PO₄ is far from being quantitative. Antagonism in extraction by mixtures of extractants is observed in most of the cases. Extraction of molybdenum(VI) under identical conditions shows that it is quantitative in the lower acidity range upto 2M H₃PO₄. Separation of uranium(VI) from molybdenum(VI) is feasible by Alamine 310, TBP and DPSO, the order of efficiency being TBP>DPSO>Alamine 310.     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) with mixtures of Cyanex272 and other organophosphorus ligands

The extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) from nitric acid solutions has been studied using mixtures of bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)phosphinic acid (Cyanex272 or HA), and synergistic extractants (S) such as tri-butylphosphate (TBP), tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)thiophosphinic acid (Cyanex301). The results showed that these metallic ions are extracted into kerosene as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA with Cyanex272 alone. In the presence of neutral organophosphorus ligands TBP and TOPO, they are found to be extracted as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA·S and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA·S. On the other hand, Th(IV), U(VI) are extracted as Th(OH)₂(NO₃)A·HA·2S and UO₂(NO₃)A·HA·S in the presence of Cyanex301. The addition of neutral extractants such as TOPO and TBP to the extraction system enhanced the extraction efficiency of both elements while Cyanex301 as an acidic extractant has improved the selectivity between uranium and thorium. The effect of TOPO on the extraction was higher than other extractants. The equilibrium constants of above species have been estimated by non-linear regression method. The extraction amounts were determined and the results were compared with those of TBP. Also, it was found that the binding to the neutral ligands by the thorium–Cyanex272 complexes follows the neutral ligand basicity sequence.     

Solvent extraction of hafnium(IV) by TBP and topo from acidic organic-aqueous solutions

Tracer concentrations of Hf(IV) were extracted by 60% TBP solution in benzene from 5M HClO₄, 5M HCl, 6M HNO₃ and 8M H₂SO₄ solutions, and by 1·10^?4 M TOPO solution in benzene from 2M HClO₄ and 2M HCl solutions in the presence of a variety of organic solvents miscible with the aqueous phase. Whereas for TBP these solvents caused an increase of HF(IV) extraction, an opposite effect was observed for TOPO. The results were discussed from the point of view of various solute-solvent and solvent-solvent interactions.     

Determination of copper(I)-ethylene complexes, [Cu(C2H4)]+ and [Cu(C2H4)2]+, with aid of EDTA titration of copper(I) and copper(II) ions

Summary Volumetric measurements of ethylene and simple EDTA titration of copper(I) and copper(II) ions confirm that [CuL]⁺ and [CuL₂]⁺ are formed when an aqueous solution of copper(II) is reduced by copper metal in the presence of ethylene, (L). The formation constants,K ₁=[CuL⁺]²[Cu²⁺]^–1[L]^–2 andK ₂=[CuL ₂ ⁺ ]^–1[L]^–1, have been estimated. The formation of [CuL]⁺ is accompanied by an enthalpy change, H, of –25 kJ mol^–1, and a positive entropy change, S, of 13 J mol^–1 K^–1.     

Interaction effect between thenoyltrifluoroacetone and tri-n-octylphoshine oxide in the synergistic extraction of trivalent lanthanides. Determination of the composition of the extracted species+ of the extracted species

The distribution constant K_D(HTTA) of thenoyltrifluoroacetone between 10^–3M HNO₃ and cyclohexane was determined by means of spectrophotometric measurements of HTTA concentration in the aqueous phase. The distribution ratio, D, of HTTA, when tri-n-octylphosphine (TOPO) is present, and the equilibrium constant, _n , of the reaction between HTTA and TOPO in the organic phase were also determined. By means of the known K_D(HTTA) and D values, the equilibrium constant of the HTTA-TOPO interaction was calculated. Making use of K_D(HTTA) and _n values and of the slope analysis method, the composition of the extracted lanthanide complexes was established. By considering the interaction reaction between the extractants, the species Ln(TTA)₃ · TOPO and Ln(TTA)₃ · 2(TOPO), for Ln=La and Yb, were identified in the organic phase. The equilibrium constants of the reactions that give rise to the species were also calculated.From a thesis submitted by D. I. T. FÁVARO to the University of São Paulo in partial fulfillment for a Doctor of Sciences Degree in Nuclear Technology.     

Synergistic extraction of uranium(VI) with 1-phenyl-3methyl-4-(2′-chlorobenzoyl)pyrazolone-5 and neutral extractants

The synergistic extractions of uranium(VI) from hydrochloric acid solution and sulfuric acid solution with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-pyrazolone-5 (PMCBP) together with the neutral extractants: tributyl phosphate(TBP), di-octyl sulfoxide(DOSO) and trioctylphosphine oxide(TOPO) in chloroform have been investigated. A high synergistic extraction effect was found. The formulas of the extracted species have been shown to be UO₂A₂B (where A=PMCBP, B=neutral extractant). The synergistic extraction power increases as follows: PMCBP-TOPO>PMCBP-DOSO>PMCBP-TBP. The equilibrium constants have been calculated. Models for the extraction mechanism are also discussed.     

Synergism in the extraction of europium in the presence of alkylphosphates and sulphoxides

Synergism in the extraction of europium(III) has been investigated using a mixture of naphthoyltrifluoroacetone and synergists like trioctylphosphine-oxide (TOPO), tributylphosphate (TBP), trihexylphosphate (THP), diphenylsulphoxide (DPSO) and benzylsulphoxide (BSO). Synergism decreases in the order: TOPO < TBP ≃THP < BSO < DPSO indicating a correlation between electron density at the donor atom and extent of synergism. The equilibrium constants for adduct formation have also been evaluated.     

Effect of solvent on the reactions of coordination complexes part VII: Kinetics of solvolysis of cis-(bromo) (imidazole) bis-(ethylenediamine)cobalt (III) and cis-(bromo) (N-methyl imidazole)bis-(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) in methanol-water media

The kinetics of the solvolytic aquation of cis-(Bromo) (imidazole) bis(ethylenediamine) cobalt (III) and cis-(Bromo) (N-methylimidazole) bis(ethylenediamine) cobalt(III) have been investigated in aqueous methanol media with methanol content 0–80% by weight and at temperatures 40–55°C. The pseudo-first order rate constant decreases with increasing methanol content. Plots of log k vs. D (where D_s is the bulk-dielectric constant of the solvent mixture) and log k vs. the Grunwald-Winstein Y-solvent parameter are nonlinear, the curvature of the plots is relatively more significant for the imidazole complex. The plots of log k vs. molfraction of methanol (X_MeOH) for both the substrates also deviate from linearity, the deviation being less and less marked, particularly for the N-methyl imidazole complex, as the temperature is increased. Hence preferential solvation phenomenon appears to be less significant when the N-H proton of imidazole is replaced by -CH₃ group. The plots of calculated values of the transfer free energy of the dissociative transition state, cis-{[(en)₂Co(B)]³⁺}* (B = imidazole, N-methylimidazole), relative to that of the initial state, cis-[Co(en)₂(B)Br]²⁺, for the transfer of the ions from water to the mixed solvent, against X_MeOH exhibit maxima at X_MeOH = 0.06, 0.27, and 0.12, 0.36 and minima at X_MeOH = 0.12 and 0.19 for cis-[(en)₂Co(imH)Br]²⁺ and its N-methylimidazole analogue respectively which are in keeping with the solvent structural changes around the initial state and transition state of these substrates as the solvent composition is varied. Plots of activation enthalpy and entropy against molfraction of the solvent mixtures exhibit maxima and minima. This type of variations of the activation parameters, ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠, with X_MeOH speaks of the enthalpy and entropy changes associated with the solvent-shell reorganization of the complex ions both in the initial and in the transition states which contribute appreciably to the overall activation enthalpy and entropy of the aquation reaction.     

Formation of protonated salicylate complexes of Cd(II) and Zn(II)

The formation constants of the protonated complexes of Cd(II) and Zn(II) with salicylic acid (H₂Sal) and the equilibrium constants for the extraction of these complexes into cyclohexane containing tributyl phosphate (TBP) have been determined. For the complex formation:

log K₁₁ is 1.9 for Cd(II) and 1.4 for Zn(II) at 30°C and 0.1 M NaClO₄. For the extraction:

log K_ex is ?1.6 for Cd(1I) and ?2.2 for Zn(II).     

Synergic extraction of Eu(III) and Tb(III) by 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone and tribenzylamine

Synergic extraction of Eu(III) and Tb(III) with 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) and tribenzylamine (TBA) as neutral donor ligand has been studied in chloroform from perchlorate media at lower pH range. The stoichiometric composition of the adduct was established as M(TTA)₃ · 3TBA for both the elements, having a coordination number 9. The formation constants K_3,0 and K_3,3 and stability constant _3,3 of the organic phase reaction have been calculated. The effect of temperature on the extraction has also been studied. The adducts are stabilized by the large exothermic enthalpy change. The calculated thermodynamic functions such as H, S and G were used to elucidate the mechanism of synergism in which the coordination numbers of the lanthanide ions increased.     

Studies on synergic extraction of uranium/VI/ by combination of 8-hydroxyquinoline and neutral donors

Extraction of U/VI/ by mixtures of 8-hydroxy quinoline /Oxine/ and neutral donors was studied from 0.1M NaCl at a pH 4.5. The presence of a neutral donor enhanced the extraction of U/VI/ and the species responsible for synergism was established to be 11 adduct UO₂Ox₂S. From the data, the equilibrium constants for the adduct formation reaction were calculated and was found to be the lowest with TBP and the highest with TOPO.     

Synergistic extraction of uranyl thenoyltrifluoroacetonate with trioctyl phosphine oxide

Synergistic effect with a strong donor, trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), has been studied in the extraction of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA) complexes of uranyl ion. The chemical form of the species extracted was found to be the 1∶1 adduct, UO₂A₂·S (S∶TOPO), and no evidence was found concerning other mixed complexes. Adduct formation constants determined in twelve inert solvents vary from lg K_S=6.79 in chloroform to 9.58 in n-hexane, while their increasing order is almost the same as that for the adducts with other phosphine oxides and TBP.     

Synergic extraction of uranium(VI) by combination of tri-iso-octylamine and neutral donors

Synergistic effect of neutral donors like tri-butyl phosphate (TBP), triphenyl phosphine oxide (TPPO), trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO), and dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) on the extraction of uranium(VI) by tri-isooctyl amine into CCl₄ is reported. Synergistic coefficients and adduct formation constants are calculated from distribution data and correlated with relative donor abilities of added bases.