Extraction of rare-earth elements by crown ethers from acid solutions into 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol

Extraction of rare-earth elements from acid solutions in the 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol-water system was studied using crown ethers: dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6; isomer A) and di-tert-butyldicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DTBDCH18C6). All other conditions being equal, the extractability of rareearth elements by DTBDCH18C6 is far higher than for DCH18C6 itself. Trifluoroacetic and trichloroacetic acids increase metal distribution ratios. The distribution ratios for the cerium rare earths considerably exceed those for the yttrium rare earths. The stoichiometry of the rare-earth complexes of crown ethers was determined. The component ratio in the extracted complexes, M: crown ether, is 1: 1 in all cases. Rare-earth separation factors are due to different stability constants of extracted complexes.     

Extraction of rare earth elements with 1-(diphenylphosphorylmethoxy)-2-diphenylphosphoryl-4-ethylbenzene with the use of 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol as a solvent

Extraction of rare earth elements from nitric acid solutions in a 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol-water system with the use of phosphoryl-containing podand 1-(diphenylphosphorylmethoxy)-2-diphenylphosphoryl-4-ethylbenzene (L) was studied. The content of metals in organic phase was shown to be negligible at nitric acid concentration lower 1 mol/L. Distribution ratio sharply increases with nitric acid concentration from 1 mol/L and reaches 5.5 for the yttrium subgroup elements at HNO₃ concentration of 6 mol/L. The rare earth elements of the yttrium subgroup were found to be extracted much better than the rare earth elements of the cerium subgroup under the same conditions, the distribution ratios in both subgroups smoothly rise with atomic number of element. It was shown using the shift of extraction equilibrium that the M: L ratio in extracted complexes is 1: 2 irrespective of the nature of rare earth element. The structure of complex {Yb[η²-(O,O′)-L]₂(η²-O₂NO)₂}(O₂NOHNO₃), whose single crystals were isolated from extraction solution, was established by X-ray diffraction study. The system can be used for the isolation and separation of rare earth elements.     

Physicochemical regularities of strontium sorption by sorbents based on di(<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyldicyclohexano)-18-crown-6

A number of sorbents based on di(tert-butyldicyclohexano)-18-crown-6, 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol, and various supports (Porolas-T, LPS-500, hydrophobized silica gel) were prepared. The effect of the supports on strontium sorption from nitric acid solutions was estimated. The physicochemical regularities of strontium sorption (isotherm, kinetics, and selectivity) were studied.     

Investigation on the extraction of strontium ions from aqueous phase using crown ether-ionic liquid systems

The extraction of strontium ions using DCH18C6 as the extractant and various ionic liquids (ILs) as solvents has been investigated. The distribution ratio of Sr²⁺ can reach as high as 10³ under certain conditions, much larger than that in DCH18C6/n-octanol system. The extraction capacity depends greatly on the structure of ionic liquids. In IIs-based extraction systems, the extraction efficiency of strontium ions is reduced by increasing the concentration of nitric acid and can also be influenced directly by the presence of Na⁺ and K⁺ in the aqueous phase. It is confirmed that the extraction proceeds mainly via a cation-exchange mechanism.     

Dicyclohexano 18 crown 6 in butanol-octanol mixture: A promising extractant of Sr(II) from nitric acid medium

The extraction of strontium from nitric acid medium was investigated employing DCH18C6 in aliphatic alcohols as the diluents. 80% Butanol-20% octanol mixture was found to give higher D(Sr) values as compared to other alcohols investigated. A linear correlation between the organic phase water content and D(Sr) was observed, based on which the extraction mechanism was postulated. Effect of anion, cation, extractant concentration, nitric acid concentration and temperature on D(Sr) was also studied. Conditions for recovery (>90%) were arrived at and selectivity with respect to other interfering fission products was observed with most of the metal ions studied.     

Determination of radiostrontium in environmental objects by extraction chromatography using tvex-DCH18C6

A new method for the rapid isolation of strontium radionuclides from environmental objects is described. The method is based on the selective extraction of strontium with a solution of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 in tetrachloroethane from nitric acid solution. The usage of this process in extraction chromatography permits to isolate strontium radionuclides with contamination coefficients not less than 10²–10³. A highly porous matrix of a copolymer of styrene and divinylbenzene is used as support. The method includes the following steps: nitric acid leaching of the sample calcined at 500–600°C with final adjustment to 1.5–2.0M HNO₃; elution of nitric acid extract through the extraction chromatographic column; washing of the column with 1.5–2.0M HNO₃; desorption of strontium with hot water, precipitation of strontium carbonate and measurement of -activity of the precipitate.     

Extraction of rare-earth elements by alkylated dibenzo-18-crown-6 and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 from acid solutions

The extraction of rare-earth elements (REE) by alkylated crown ethers (dibenzo-and dicyclohexano-18-crown 6; DB18C6 and DCH18C6) from acid solutions in the chloroform-water system is studied. The extraction of the REE with DCH18C6 and its alkylated derivatives in the presence of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is far more efficient than the extraction with DB18C6 and its alkylated derivatives or when nitric or acetic acid is used instead of TCA. The distribution coefficients for the cerium metals are far higher than for the yttrium metals. The metal: crown ether ratio in the extracted complex in all cases is 1:1.     

Extraction of85Sr by the nitrobenzene solution of bis-1,2-dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6

Extraction of strontium by the nitrobenzene solution of bis-1,2-dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (DB18C6, L) has been investigated. the equilibrium data and the typical maxima concerning the dependencies of the Sr distribution ratios on the total analytical concentration of DB18C6 in the system under study can be explained assuming that the particles Sr²⁺, SrL²⁺, SrL₂ ²⁺, SrHL³⁺ and SrHL₂ ³⁺ are extracted into the nitrobenzene phase. The values of the corresponding extraction and stability constants of the extracted species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined.     

Vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction of strontium from water samples using 4′,4″(5″)‐di‐(tert‐butylcyclohexano)‐18‐crown‐6 and tetraphenylborate

A vortex‐assisted liquid–liquid microextraction method was developed for the chromatographic determination of strontium in aqueous samples. In the method, strontium was complexed with 4′,4″(5″)‐di‐(tert‐butylcyclohexano)‐18‐crown‐6 in the presence of tetraphenylborate as the counter anion, which increased the hydrophobicity of the ion‐association complex, resulting in its improved extraction into 1‐octanol. Strontium from the organic phase was stripped with nitric acid back to aqueous solution and determined by ion chromatography. The optimum microextraction conditions were as follows: 2.0 mL aqueous samples with 3 mM tetraphenylborate; 150 μL of 1‐octanol as the extractant phase with 10 mM DtBuCH18C6; vortex extraction time for 10 s; centrifugation at 6000 rpm for 4 min; stripping by 0.1 M nitric acid. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit for strontium was 0.005 mg/L. The calibration curves showed good linearity over the range between 0.01 and 2.5 mg/L. Intra‐ and interday precisions of the present method were satisfactory with relative standard deviations of 1.7 and 2.1%, respectively.     

The extraction behavior of some dicarbollylcobaltate crown extraction systems

The extraction of cesium, strontium and barium by a nitrobenzene solution of dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of various crown ethers has been investigated and the influence of the substituent of crown to the extraction possibility has been observed. It has been found, that the addition of DB15C5, DB18C6 and DB21C7 (but not DB24C8 and DCH24C8) increases the distribution ratio of Cs by one order of magnitude. The fivemembered crowns are usually more efficient extractants for strontium than DCH18C6, which is widely used for strontium separation. The distribution ratio of strontium D_Sr decreases in the order 15-crown-5>benzo-15-crown-5>2-hydroxymethyl-15-crown-5>cyclohexyl-15-crown-5 >dibenzo-15-crown-5> nitrobenzo-15-crown-5. The selectivity α(Sr/Ca) decreases in the order 15C5>B15C5>DB15C5>2HM15C5>CH15C5. A selectivity factor α(Sr/Ca)≥1000 can be reached in the presence of 15C5 and B15C5. Six-membered and four-membered crowns extract strontium worse than most of the five-membered crowns. The selectivity factors α(Sr/Ca)≈100 have been reached for six-membered crowns and α(Sr/Ca)<1 has been found for 12C4. The extraction of barium by a nitrobenzene solution of dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of 15C5 is even more efficient as the extraction of strontium. In that system D_Sr>10⁴ and D_Ba>10⁴ have been found for the extraction of Sr and Ba by a 0.01M nitrobenzene solution of dicarbollylcobaltate (c_B=0.01 mol/l) from 0.1M HNO₃. Maximal values of separation factor α(Ba/Sr) have been found in the system containing DB21C7.     

Separation of strontium from nuclear waste solutions by solvent extraction with crown ethers

The possibilities of strontium separation from medium activity waste (MAW) solutions have been investigated. MAW originates from the PUREX process and contains NaNO₃ and HNO₃ in a large excess. By solvent extraction with the crown ether dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DC-18-C-6) in 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, separation is possible. The distribution ratio for Sr²⁺ depends on the concentration of HNO₃, NaNO₃ and Pb(NO₃)₂. The extraction system is employed in a continuous counter-current process. After use, the extraction agent can easily be regenerated by reextraction with pure water.     

Structures of the compounds preparatively isolated in the extraction of rare-earth metals with 2-diphenylphosphoryl-1-diphenylphosphorylmethoxy-4-ethylbenzene

The structures of 2-diphenylphosphoryl-1-diphenylphosphorylmethoxy-4-ethylbenzene (L), its adduct with water and nitric acid, and the complex [(L)₂Nd(η²-O₂NO)₂](NO₃) · NO₃ · 2C₆H₆ were determined by X-ray diffraction. The above compounds were isolated under conditions very similar to those used for extractive separation of rare-earth metals in the system water-1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptan-1-ol with L as an extractant. Assignment of the absorption bands in the IR spectra of the single crystals obtained was performed.     

Lithium isotope effects in extraction of lithium chloride by benzo-15-crown-5 in the 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol–water system

The extraction characteristics of the 1,1,7-trihydrododecafluoroheptanol water system have been studied for lithium chloride as the salt to be extracted and benzo-15-crown-5 as the extracting agent, as well as blank extraction of lithium chloride in this system. Single-stage lithium isotope separation factors (a) have been measured at various lithium chloride concentrations in water, and the isotope effect has been multiplied by extraction chromatography. The value of a for the Li⁶–Li⁷ pair was 1.024. The light lithium isotope is concentrated in the organic phase.     

Rapid trace determination of radiostrontium in milk and drinking water

A rapid method for determining traces of radiostrontium in milk and drinking water is described. The technique involves a batch treatment of the milk sample with a cation exchanger (DOWEX 50W X8) followed by a solvent extraction with a crown ether (DC18C6) and a precipitation of SrCO₃. In the case of water, the strontium is extracted directly with the crown ether. The average separation yield is 74% for milk and 91% for water. The overall separation procedure takes about 8 hours. Activities as low as 0.03 Bq/1 can be determined with a low background GM-counter.     

Extraction chromatographic separation of carrier-free90Y from90Sr/90Y generator by crown ether coated silica gels

A remarkable extraction chromatographic method for the preparation of⁹⁰Y of high radiochemical purity has been developed. The generator consists of silica gel coated crown ether. It functions as a strong adsorber for⁹⁰Sr and in the meantime high purity of⁹⁰Y is eluted with a dilute solution of picric acid after a suitable period. The experiments indicated that DC18C6 coated silica gel is better than that of DB18C6 coated. The extraction capacity of strontium on 3.8% DC18C6 coated silica gel is 5.6 mg Sr/g silica gel. Yttrium is obtained with more than 95% milking yield with radionuclide purity greater than 99.9%. The extraction chromatographic generator does not change its characteristics even after 5 elutions.     

The application of novel extraction chromatographic materials to the characterization of radioactive waste solutions

A simple method for the separation and preconcentration of radiostrontium from acidic nuclear waste solutions for subsequent determination is described. The method involves passage of the waste solution, acidified to at least 2M with nitric acid, through an extraction chromatographic column consisting of a 1M solution of bis-4,4(5)[(t-butyl)cyclohexano]-18-crown-6 in 1-octanol sorbed on an inert polymeric substrate, which preferentially retains strontium. The strontium may then be stripped from the column with a small volume of either dilute (0.05M) nitric acid or water. Actinides present are removed quantitatively prior to strontium separation by passage of the sample through an actinide-specific extraction chromatographic column.Work performed under the auspices of the Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Chemical Sciences, U. S. Department of Energy, under contract number W-31-109-ENG-38.     

冠醚-离子液体体系对水相中锶离子的萃取研究

本文研究了以一系列离子液体作为介质时,萃取剂二环己基18冠6（DCH18C6）对水相中Sr^2＋的萃取行为．研究结果表明,DCH18C6／离子液体体系对Sr^2＋的萃取性能优于相应的DCH18C6／JE辛醇萃取体系,一定条件下其萃取Sr^2＋的分配比可达10^3量级．同时,体系对Sr^2＋的萃取性能随着离子液体的结构不同而有所差别．在离子液体萃取体系中,随着水相初始硝酸浓度的增加,对Sr^2＋的萃取性能下降．水相中Na^＋、K^＋等离子的存在也会对体系萃取Sr^2＋产生直接影响．本文还验证了离子液体体系萃取Sr^2＋的机理,即以阳离子交换机理为主实现对Sr^2＋的萃取．     

Extraction of microamounts of strontium into nitrobenzene by using hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate in the presence of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6

Summary Extraction of microamounts of strontium by a nitrobenzene solution of hydrogen dicarbollylcobaltate (H⁺B^-) in the presence of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6, L) has been investigated. The equilibrium data have been explained assuming that the complexes HL⁺, HL, SrL²⁺and SrL are extracted into the organic phase. The values of extraction and stability constants of the species in nitrobenzene saturated with water have been determined.     

Fluorous ionic liquids as solvents for the liquid-liquid extraction of metal ions by macrocyclic polyethers

The predominant mode of strontium ion transfer from aqueous nitrate media into a series of 1-fluoroalkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)]imides containing dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) is shown to shift from cation exchange to strontium nitrato-crown ether complex partitioning as the length of the fluoroalkyl substituent is increased. Fluoroalkyl substituents are shown to be only slightly more effective than their non-fluorous analogs at inducing this shift. At the same time, the fluorinated ionic liquids (ILs) yield strontium distribution ratios as much as an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (C_nmim⁺) salts. Fluorous ILs thus appear to offer no compelling advantages over C_nmim⁺ ionic liquids as extraction solvents.     

Improvements to arapid method for separating strontium from liquid milk by treatment with a chelating resin and crown ethers

In an attempt to improve on a previously reported method¹ for rapidly isolating Sr from liquid milk, the following investigations have been carried out: (1) elution of strontium from a chelating resin with dilute nitric acid, (2) separation of strontium from calcium by extracting from this eluate into chloroform solutions of dicyclohexyl-18-crown-6 (DC18C6), (3) transfer of the strontium into aqueous solution, and (4) removal of barium from this solution by extracting into dichloromethane solutions of 21-crown-7 (21C7). Based on the findings of these studies, a separation scheme was proposed and tested by participating in an interlaboratory comparison on the analysis of⁸⁹Sr and⁹⁰Sr in skimmed milk. The separation scheme requires about 3 hours, provides strontium recoveries greater than 90%, and ensures adequate decontamination factors for the nuclides that occur in milk.