Separation of rare earth elements in the tributyl phosphate–Ln(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Ca(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> system in the counter current process

The 40-step extraction process to separate rare earth elements (RЕEs) according to the praseodymium–cerium line with the use of mixer–settler extractors in a 100% TBP–Ln(NO₃)₃–Ca(NO₃)₂ system is implemented. A lanthanum–cerium concentrate containing less than 0.03 wt % of the remaining REEs is obtained. The flow diagram of the separation process of a rare earth (RE) concentrate isolated from phosphogypsum is considered.     

Thermal decomposition of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The hexahydrate of praseodymium nitrate hexahydrate Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O does not show phase transitions in the range of 233–328 K when the compound melts in its own water of crystallization. It is suggested that the thermal decomposition is a complex step-wise process, which involves the condensation of 6 mol of the initial monomer Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O into a cyclic cluster 6[Pr(NO₃)₃·6H₂O]. This hexamer gradually loses water and nitric acid, and a series of intermediate amorphous oxynitrates is formed. The removal of 68% HNO₃–32% H₂O azeotrope is essentially a continuous process occurring in the liquid phase. At higher temperatures, oxynitrates undergo thermal degradation and lose water, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen, leaving behind normal praseodymium oxide Pr₂O₃. The latter absorbs approximately 1 mol of atomic oxygen from N₂O₅ disproportionation, giving rise to the non-stoichiometric higher oxide Pr₂O_3.33. All mass losses are satisfactorily accounted for under the proposed scheme of thermal decomposition.     

Simulating equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O–NaOH system

Equilibrium processes in the Ga(NO₃)₃–H₂O–NaOH system are simulated with allowance for the formation of precipitates of various compositions using experimental data from potentiometric titration and theoretical studies. The values of the instability constants are calculated along with the stoichiometric compositions of the resulting compounds. It is found that pH ranges of 1.0 to 4.3 and 12.0 to 14.0 are best for the deposition of gallium chalcogenide films.     

Synthesis and structure of the complex [Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-S)(μ<Subscript>2</Subscript>-S<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>NCS<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>]I

The structure of tri-μ₂-disulfido-μ₃-thiotris(diethyldithiocarbamato)-S,S′-triangle-trimolybdenum iodide [Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ₂-S₂)₃(Et₂NCS₂)₃]I was determined. The compound was characterized by differential thermal analysis and IR, Raman, and X-ray electronic spectroscopy.     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>3</Subscript>(NH<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Ir(SO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>4</Subscript>]·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The complex Na₃(NH₄)₂[Ir(SO₃)₂Cl₄]·4H₂O was examined with single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. Crystal data: a = 7.3144(4) Å, b = 10.0698(5) Å, c = 12.3748(6) Å, β = 106.203(1)°, V = 875.26(8) ų, space group P2₁/c, Z = 2, d _calc = 2.547 g/cm³. In the complex anion two trans SO ₃ ^2? groups are coordinated to iridium through the S atom. The splitting of O-H bending vibrations of crystallization water molecules and N-H ones of the ammonium cation is considered in the context of different types of interactions with the closest neighbors in the structure.     

Glass Formation in the Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>–(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO–H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O System

The glass formation in the Al₂(SO₄)₃–(CH₃)₂SO–H₂O system was found for the first time. The competitive ability of ligands, dimethyl sulfoxide and water (which are strong donors), for entering the first coordination sphere of aluminum is considered. The possibility of mixed coordination of (CH₃)₂SO (via sulfur and oxygen atoms) in the first coordination sphere of aluminum with retention of the glass-forming ability of the sample was suggested on the basis of IR spectral study.     

Crystal structure of Cs[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Cs[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)] · H₂O were synthesized and structurally studied using X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, with the unit cell parameters a = 5.5032(4) Å, b = 13.5577(8) Å, c = 9.5859(8) Å, β = 97.012(3)°, V = 709.86(9) ų, R = 0.0444. The main building units of crystals are [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(OH)]^? layers of the A₂K ₂ ⁰² M² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , and M² = OH^?) crystal-chemical family. Uranium-containing layers are linked into a three-dimensional framework via electrostatic interactions with outer-sphere cations and hydrogen bonds with water molecules.     

Synthesis and study of uranyl arsenate (UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(AsO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 12H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A method for producing synthetic troegerite of composition(UO₂)₃(AsO₄)₂ · 12H₂. Owas developed. X-ray diffraction, IR spectrometry, X-ray fluorescence analysis, and scanning calorimetry were used to study its dehydration and thermal decomposition, to solve the structgure, and to determine X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopic characteristics.     

Thermal analysis of the (Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>(Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>x</Subscript> pigments

The synthesis of new compounds based on Bi₂O₃ is investigated because they can be used as new ecological inorganic pigments. Chemical compounds of the (Bi₂O₃)_1−x(Y₂O₃)_x type were synthesized. The host lattice of these pigments is Bi₂O₃ that is doped by Y³⁺ ions. The incorporation of doped ions provides the interesting colours and contributes to a growth of the thermal stability of these compounds. The simultaneous TG-DTA measurements were used for determination of the temperature region of the pigment formation and thermal stability of pigments. This paper also contains the results of the pigment characterization by X-ray powder diffraction and their colour properties.     

Crystal structure of glycine phosphite C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>·H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Single crystal X-ray diffraction study of glycine phosphite C₂H₅NO₂·H₃PO₃ was performed (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 7.401(3) Å, b = 8.465(3) Å, c = 9.737(3) Å; β = 100.73(5)°, Z = 4). It has been found that one of hydrogen atoms is located at the centre of symmetry forming two strong hydrogen bonds to yield H₄P₂O ₆ ^?2 dimers, while another hydrogen atom is statistically disordered over two positions and organizes the dimers into an infinite corrugated chain. The ordering of this hydrogen atom position and/or displacement of the other one from the centre of symmetry will lead to the loss of symmetry centre and lowering of the point group symmetry from C_2h to piezo-active group C₂ or C _s .     

High-temperature reactions in the Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Cr(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A new dichromium(III) cobalt(II) diphosphate(V) of the formula CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was detected in the Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆–Cr(PO₃)₃ system. The new compound was obtained as a result of high-temperature solid-state reactions between CoCO₃, Cr₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as well as between Cr(PO₃)₃ and Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was characterized using XRD, DTA and IR methods. Results demonstrated that CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system and its unit cell parameters were calculated. Its infrared spectrum was presented. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ melts incongruently at 1270±10 °C with a formation of solid α-CrPO₄. The compound Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆, component of the system under study, was obtained for the first time as a pure phase. Its thermal stability was also investigated. Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆ is stable in air up to 1410 ± 20 °C.     

TeO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–(NaPO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript> Glass-Forming System

It is suggested to use sodium hexametaphosphate as a new glass-forming agent for tellurite glasses. The limits of the glass-forming region were determined for the TeO₂–(NaPO₃)₆ system, and a selective study of the thermal behavior of the glasses synthesized was carried out by the method differential scanning calorimetry. The optical transmission in the UV, visible, and IR spectral ranges was examined. It was shown that oxides of rare-earth elements can be introduced into the glass, which opens up prospects for application of the system as a matrix for generation of laser light in the 2-μm range, required in fabrication of medical lasers.     

Crystal Structure of Neptunium(V) Acetate [(NpO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OOCCH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)] ⋅ 2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A new neptunium(V) complex [(NpO₂)₂(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)] ? 2H₂O was synthesized and its crystal structure was determined. The unit cell parameters are: a = 24.007(10) Å, b = 6.779(3) Å, c = 8.076(3) Å, space group Pnma, Z = 4, V = 1314.2(9) ų, R = 0.049, wR(F²) = 0.105. The crystal structure of the compound is composed of neutral [(NpO₂)₂(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)] layers and molecules of the water of crystallization. Each of the crystallographically independent neptunoyl ions performs a bidentate function thus forming a composite system of cation-cation bonds.     

Copper(II) oxalate obtained through the reaction of 1,2-ethanediol with Cu(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>·3H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The paper presents the experimental results of the structural investigations and thermal analysis of copper(II) oxalate, a polynuclear coordination compound, obtained by a new method, through the reaction of 1,2-ethanediol with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O. The reaction between 1,2-ethanediol and Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O occurs, under some working conditions, with the oxidation of 1,2-ethanediol to the oxalate anion (L). The synthesized polynuclear coordination compound, [CuL·0.3H₂O]_n, was characterized by chemical analysis, electronic and vibrational spectra and thermal analysis. The thermal properties of the polynuclear coordination compound have been investigated by TG, DTG and DSC. The obtained decomposition product is CuO. Powder XRD (X-ray diffraction), IR spectroscopy and TEM (transmission electron microscopy) were used to characterize the composition, the crystalline structure and the surface morphology of the copper oxide obtained through thermolysis. The thermal conversion product, copper(II) oxide, has a microporous structure with a large specific area.     

Physicochemical properties of (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl–Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> composites

Composite solid electrolytes were synthesized from the organic salt dimethylammonium chloride (1–x)C₂H₈NCl–xAl₂O₃. Their physicochemical properties were studied. In the starting C₂H₈NCl salt, there is a phase transition at 39°C accompanied by an increase in conductivity by two orders of magnitude. The conductivity of the high-temperature phase is 9.3 × 10^–6 S/cm at 160°C. A differential scanning calorimetry study showed that the salt in the composites spreads over the oxide surface and at x > 0.6 the salt melting enthalpy decreases to zero. The conductivity of the resulting composites was studied by impedance spectroscopy. It was shown that heterogeneous doping leads to a sharp increase in ion conductivity to 7.0 × 10^–3 S/cm at 160°C and a decrease in the activation energy to 0.55 eV.     

Porous xerogels with a bifunctional surface layer of the composition ≡Si(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>SH/≡Si(CH<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The sol-gel method with ethanol as a solvent and fluoride ion as a catalyst was used to prepare polysiloxane xerogels containing both 3-mercaptopropyl and n-propyl groups in the surface layer. An increase in the relative amount of n-propyltriethoxysilane in the initial reaction solution was found to result in the formation of xerogels with developed porous structures, which was accompanied by an increase in the specific surface area from 370 to 550 m²/g; simultaneously, other porous structure parameters such as sorption volume and pore size exhibited a tendency to increase. Atomic-force microscopy was used to show that the xerogels synthesized comprised aggregates of mean size 30 nm. An analysis of the IR and ¹³C cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR data led us to conclude that the surface layer of bifunctional xerogels contained not only 3-mercaptopropyl and n-propyl groups but also silanol groups, part of nonhydrolyzed alkoxy groups, and H-bonded water molecules. The ²⁹Si cross-polarization magic angle spinning NMR spectra revealed the presence of structural units of the compositions T¹ [(≡SiO)Si(OR’)₂(CH₂CH₂CH₃) and/or (≡SiO)Si(OR’)₂(CH₂)₃SH, R’ = H, OCH₃, or OC₂H₅], T² [(≡SiO)₂Si(OR’)(CH₂CH₂CH₃) and (≡SiO)₂Si(OR’)(CH₂)₃SH], and T³ [(≡SiO)₃SiCH₂CH₂CH₃ and (≡SiO)₃Si(CH₂)₃SH] in the xerogels synthesized.     

A Raman Spectroscopic Study of Aqueous La(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> Solutions and La(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>CO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript>·1.5 H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O(cr)

Aqueous solutions of La(CH₃CO₂)₃, NaCH₃CO₂ and La(ClO₄)₃ were studied using Raman spectroscopy. In dilute NaCH₃CO₂ solution, acetate is fully hydrated and forms only minor amounts of ion pairs. The characteristic Raman bands are discussed and assigned. In fairly dilute La(ClO₄)₃ solutions, the La³⁺(aq) ion occurs as the nonahydrate. The separation of the carboxylate bands, ν_as – ν_s (Δ-value), in NaCH₃CO₂(cr) compared to La(CH₃CO₂)₃·1.5H₂O(cr) correlates with the bonding type of acetate which is “ionic” in the former but bidentate chelating/tridentate chelating in the latter. Other acetate bands such as the deformation mode of the CO₂ moiety, δ CO₂, and the two rocking vibrations (ρ), as well as the C–C stretch show marked differences in their band positions in NaCH₃CO₂(cr) compared to the ones in La(CH₃CO₂)₃·1.5H₂O(aq). In a ternary solution of La(CH₃CO₂)₃/LaCl₃ with a molar ratio La³⁺(aq): \( {\text{CH}}_{3} {\text{CO}}_{2}^{ - } \)(aq) = 3.87: 1.00), the bands of the bound acetate on La³⁺ were characterized and compared to those of fully hydrated acetate, \( {\text{CH}}_{3} {\text{CO}}_{2}^{ - } \left( {\text{aq}} \right) \). In this solution, almost all acetate is ligated to La³⁺ in a bidentate fashion and two complex species could be identified (molar ratios La³⁺: \( {\text{CH}}_{3} {\text{CO}}_{2}^{ - } \)  = 1:1 and 1:2, respectively). In La(CH₃CO₂)₃ solutions in H₂O and D₂O strong acetato complexes are formed and the bands of the bound acetate were characterized and compared with the ones of the fully hydrated acetate modes. A dilution series down to 0.0037 mol·L^?1 in La(CH₃CO₂)₃(aq) and to 0.0150 mol·L^?1 in La(CH₃CO₂)₃(D₂O) showed that two acetate complexes are formed in these solutions. Again, it was shown that in these solutions the bound acetates on La³⁺ exist as bidentate ligands. DFT frequencies of the acetate on clusters {La(OH₂)₇O₂CCH₃)}²⁺ and {La(OH₂)₅(O₂CCH₃)₂}⁺ compared well with the measured values. By determining the ligation number, \( \bar{n} \), it can be established that in dilute solutions, below 0.04 mol·L^?1, a complex with a 1:1 stoichiometry (La³⁺: \( {\text{CH}}_{3} {\text{CO}}_{2}^{ - } \)) exists in equilibrium with “free” acetate while in more concentrated solutions a 1:2 complex also forms. La³⁺(aq) hydrolysis is slight and very small equilibrium concentrations of CH₃COOH were detected (C–C stretch at 893 cm^?1). From quantitative Raman measurements, K ₁ was determined to be 160 ± 10 at 22 °C.     

New double complex salt [PdEn<Subscript>2</Subscript>]<Subscript>3</Subscript>[Rh(NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 2.67H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O: Synthesis,crystal structure,and thermal properties

The crystal structure of the double complex salt (DCS) [PdEn₂]₃[Rh(NO₂)₆]₂ ? 2.67H₂O (I) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals are triclinic, space group \(P\bar 1\), Z = 4, a = 9.2331(3) Å, b = 9.9136(4) Å, c = 13.7824(5) Å, α = 84.3230(14)°, β = 89.9655(14)°, γ = 66.7272(13)°, V = 1152.19(7) ų, ρ_calcd = 2.141 g/cm³, R = 0.0279. The thermal behavior of complex salt I has been studied in various gas atmospheres. The end product of thermolysis in reductive atmosphere is a mixture of Pd_0.45Rh_0.55 and Pd_0.95Rh_0.05 solid solutions. The end product of thermolysis in an inert atmosphere is a homogeneous Pd_0.6Rh_0.4 solid solution.     

Crystal structure of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>[UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(NCS)]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · 9H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of Ba₃[UO₂(C₂O₄)₂(NCS)]₂ · 9H₂O are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group Fddd, Z = 16, and the unit cell parameters are a = 16.253(3) Å, b = 22.245(3) Å, c = 39.031(6) Å. The main crystal structural units are mononuclear complex groups [UO₂(C₂O₄)₂NCS]^3? of the crystal-chemical family (AB ₂ ⁰¹ M¹ (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , B⁰¹ = C₂O ₄ ^2? , M¹ = NCS^?) of the uranyl complexes linked into a three-dimensional framework by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds involving oxalate ions and water molecules.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Rb<Subscript>2</Subscript>[(UO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(SeO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)] · 1.33H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The single crystals of Rb₂[(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)] · 1.33H₂O were synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/m, Z= 2, the unit cell parameters: a = 5.6537(8), b = 18.736(3), c = 9.4535(15) Å, β = 98.440(5)°, V = 990.6(3) ų, R ₁ = 0.0506. The main structural units of the crystal are infinite layers of [(UO₂)₂(C₂O₄)₂(SeO₄)]^2?, corresponding to the crystal chemical group A₂K ₂ ⁰² B² (A = UO ₂ ²⁺ , K⁰² = C₂O ₄ ^2? , B² = SeO ₄ ^2? ) of uranyl complexes. The uranium-containing layers are united into a three-dimensional framework through the electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere rubidium ions and the hydrogen bonding system involving the outer-sphere water molecules.