Rare earth tungsten bronzes: a new method of synthesis. Perspectives for their application as inert matrices for transmutation of long-life actinide elements

A new method of synthesis of oxide tungsten bronzes containing lanthanide (Ln) Nd and Eu, based on thermal degradation of polyoxotungstate compounds, is proposed. The simplicity of the method allows to consider this class of compounds with chemical formula, Ln_xWO₃, as potential inert target for incineration or transmutation of minor actinides, Am and Cm, in neutron reactors. Nd and Eu were used as analogues of transplutonium elements. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of compounds synthesized reveal a cubic perovskite structure. The lanthanide content in bronzes was determined by optical spectroscopy analysis. The experimental density of the pressed bronze samples was estimated at 6.58 g cm⁻³, i.e., 89% of the crystallographic value. The thermal stability of the bronzes synthesized was checked up to 900°C in an inert atmosphere. Leaching tests were performed for europium bronzes in nitric acid solutions using luminescence technique.     

New divalent samarocenes for butadiene polymerisation: influence of the steric effect and the electron density on the catalytic activity

Two new divalent samarocenes, Cp^*′₂Sm(THF) (1) and (Cp^Ph3)₂Sm(THF) (2) (Cp^*′=C₅Me₄ⁿPr, Cp^Ph3=H₂C₅Ph₃-1,2,4), were synthesized and characterized by ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The activity of 1 and 2 as butadiene polymerisation catalysts was studied, in the presence of MAO and MMAO, and compared to this of Cp^*₂Sm(THF)₂ (3) and (Cp⁴ⁱ)₂Sm (4) (Cp^*=C₅Me₅, Cp⁴ⁱ=C₅HⁱPr₄), in the same conditions. The 1/MAO system presents the highest activity. The less active 2/MAO system leads to a high cis-1,4 regular structure up to 97%. The MMAO cocatalyst is found very sensitive to the steric hindrance of the samarocenes: the activity decreases from 1/MAO to 1/MMAO, and no activity is observed in the case of complexes 2 and 4, associated to MMAO. Complexes 1 and 2 can be both oxidized with AlMe₃ to give the corresponding Sm/Al bimetallics and , respectively.     

Mittlere Schwingungsamplituden der Hexachloro- und Hexabromo-Anionen einiger Lanthanide

Mean amplitudes of vibration for various octahedral complex compounds of the typeLnCl₆ ^3– andLnBr₆ ^3– (withLn=Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, and Yb) have been calculated, at different temperatures, using known spectroscopic data. The results are briefly discussed and it is found that theLn–Cl andLn–Br amplitude values are highly characteristic.

     

CoSm(SeO3)2Cl,CuGd(SeO3)2Cl,MnSm(SeO3)2Cl,CuGd2(SeO3)4 und CuSm2(SeO3)4: Übergangsmetallhaltige Selenite von Samarium und Gadolinum

CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl, CuGd(SeO₃)₂Cl, MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl, CuGd₂(SeO₃)₄ and CuSm₂(SeO₃)₄: Transition Metal containing Selenites of Samarium and Gadolinum The reaction of CoCl₂, Sm₂O₃, and SeO₂ in evacuated silica ampoules lead to blue single crystals of CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 4, a = 712.3(1), b = 889.5(2), c = 1216.2(2) pm, α = 72.25(1)°, β = 71.27(1)°, γ = 72.08(1)°, R_all = 0.0586). If MnCl₂ is used in the reaction light pink single crystals of MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 2, a = 700.8(2), b = 724.1(2), c = 803.4(2) pm, α = 86.90(3)°, β = 71.57(3)°, γ = 64.33(3)°, R_all = 0.0875) are obtained. Green single crystals of CuGd₂(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 4, a = 704.3(4), b = 909.6(4), c = 1201.0(7) pm, α = 70.84(4)°, β = 73.01(4)°, γ = 70.69(4)°, R_all = 0.0450) form analogously in the reaction of CuCl₂ and Gd₂O₃ with SeO₂. CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl contains [CoO₄Cl₂] octahedra, which are connected via one edge and one vertex to infinite chains. The Mn²⁺ ions in MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl are also octahedrally coordinated by four oxygen and two chlorine ligands. The linkage of the polyhedra to chains occurs exclusively via edges. Both, the cobalt and the manganese compound show the Sm³⁺ ions in eight and ninefold coordination of oxygen atoms and chloride ions. In CuGd(SeO₃)₂Cl the Cu²⁺ ions are coordinated by three oxygen atoms and one Cl^— ion in a distorted square planar manner. One further Cl^— and one further oxygen ligand complete the [CuO₃Cl] units yielding significantly elongated octahedra. The latter are again connected to chains via two common edges. For the Gd³⁺ ions coordination numbers of ?8 + 1”? and nine were found. Single crystals of the deep blue selenites CuM₂(SeO₃)₄ (M = Sm/Gd, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 1050.4(3)/1051.0(2), b = 696.6(2)/693.5(1), c = 822.5(2)/818.5(2) pm, β = 110.48(2)°/110.53(2)°, R_all = 0.0341/0.0531) can be obtained from reactions of the oxides Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃, respectively, with CuO and SeO₂. The crystal structure contains square planar [CuO₄] groups and irregular [MO₉] polyhedra.     

Mathematical Correction for Polyatomic Isobaric Spectral Interferences in Determination of Lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The determination of lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS) is complicated by several spectral overlaps from M⁺, MO⁺ or MOH⁺ ions formed in the ICP. Especially, it is essential to avoid the spectral interferences from lighter lanthanide and Ba polyatomic ions on middle or heavier lanthanides. To tackle this problem, we have developed a mathematical correction method, which reduces all the spectral overlaps from oxide species of Pr, Nd, Ce and Sm over Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho, and Gd, Tb over Yb and Lu. It can also successfully correct the oxide and hydroxide interference of Ba over Eu. The effectiveness of the proposed the mathematical correction scheme is demonstrated for the USGS Standard Rock samples AGV‐1 and G‐2. The results show that the experimental data obtained by applying the mathematical correction scheme for lanthanides is in good agreement with the reported values, using pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulisation methods, for their ICP‐MS analysis.     

A new symmetrically modified α-cyclodextrin tripode: selective metal complexation and fluorescence properties

A new tripodal α-cyclodextrin having three ureido-bipyridyl tethers symmetrically distributed on its upper rim was prepared in one step by the polymer supported ‘phosphine imide’ reaction in a medium yield. As expected, the highly selective complexation properties towards ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ cations were maintained with regards to the URFT-Cd (upper rim fully tethered) family previously investigated. Its Eu^III and Tb^III lanthanide complex fluorescence behaviour clearly indicates that a limited number of tethers allow a better bis-heterocyclic antenna self-organisation around the cation leading to enhanced fluorescence properties.     

High performance liquid chromatographic studies on lanthanides, uranium and thorium on amide modified reversed phase supports

The retention behavior of uranium, thorium and lanthanides has been investigated with amide modified reversed phase C₁₈ supports using α-hydroxy isobutyric acid (α-HIBA) as the mobile phase. Four structurally different amide moieties namely, 4-hydroxy-N,N-dihexyl butyramide (4HHBA), 4-hydroxy-N,N-di-2-ethylhexylhexanamide (4HEHHA), bis(N,N,N′,N′-2-ethylhexyl)malonamide (B2EHM) and N-methyl-tris(dihexylcarbamoyl-3-methoxy)pivolamide (MTDCMPA) have been synthesized and studied. Among the various amide coated columns, the supports modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit an interesting retention for uranium and thorium, which is different from 4HEHHA modified support. The retention time for uranium and thorium increases with increasing amide concentration for 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA supports, while the same decreases with increasing 4HEHHA content. However, the separation factor for uranium and thorium is greater on a 4HEHHA support, compared to an unmodified C₁₈ column, reflecting the amide's preferential complexation of uranium over thorium.Columns modified with 4HHBA, B2EHM and MTDCMPA exhibit relatively higher retentions for lanthanides. However, MTDCMPA modified support shows a different elution profile for lanthanides compared to 4HHBA, and B2EHM modified columns. Individual separations of heavier lanthanides, i.e., from gadolinium to lutetium also have been achieved using 4HHBA and B2EHM modified supports.The influence of modifier content, mobile phase concentration and its pH on the retention of metal ions has also been studied. Based on these investigations, an efficient high performance liquid chromatographic method (HPLC) has been developed for the rapid separation of uranium from thorium as well as for the individual separation of heavier lanthanides.     

Phase Transition and Crystal Structure of the Monomeric Europium(II) Thiolate Eu(SC36H49)2

Single crystal X‐ray diffraction of Eu(SC₃₆H₄₉)₂ has revealed a first order phase transition at a temperature of 119 K, that involves a reduction of the specific volume by 1 %. The transition corresponds to a doubling of the unit cell, as it is the result from reorientations of isopropyl groups that appear at peripheral sites of the organic ligands. It is argued that a denser packing is achieved at the expense of a less favourable conformation of one of the two crystallographically‐independent complexes in the low‐temperature phase. The Bond‐Valence method is used to show that interactions of equal strengths are present between europium and both sulphur atoms and both coordinating phenyl rings.     

Über Oxotantalate der Lanthanide des Formeltyps MTaO4 (M = La – Nd,Sm – Lu)

About Lanthanide Oxotantalates with the Formula MTaO₄ (M = La – Nd, Sm – Lu) Besides being a by‐product of solid state syntheses in tantalum ampoules the lanthanide(III) oxotantalates of the formula MTaO₄ can be easily prepared by sintering lanthanide sesquioxide M₂O₃ and tantalum(V) oxide Ta₂O₅ with sodium chloride as flux. Under these conditions two structure types emerge depending upon the M³⁺ cationic radius. For M = La – Pr the MTaO₄‐type tantalates crystallize in the space group P2₁/c with lattice constants of a = 762(±1), b = 553(±4), c = 777(±4) pm, β = 101(±1)° and four formula units per unit cell. With M = Nd, Sm – Lu, the monoclinic cell dimensions (space group P2/c) shrink to the lattice constants like a = 516(±9), b = 551(±9), c = 534(±9) pm, β = 96.5(±0.3)° and there are only two formula units present. Both structures show a coordination sphere of eight oxygen atoms for the lanthanide trications shaped as distorted square antiprism for the structure with the larger lanthanides (in the following referred to as A‐type) and as trigonal dodecahedron for the structure with the smaller ones (called as B‐type in the following). The coordination environment about the Ta⁵⁺ cations can be described as a slightly distorted octahedron (CN = 6) for the A‐type structure of MTaO₄ and a heavily distorted one (CN = 6) for the B‐type. The difference between the two types results from the interconnection of these [TaO₆]^7? octahedra. Whereas they are connected via four vertices to form corrugated layers according to parallel the bc‐plane in the A‐type, the octahedra of the B‐type MTaO₄ structure share edges to built up zig‐zag chains along the c axis.     

镧系元素钨硼杂多酸盐的合成及性质研究

钨硼杂多配合是一类性能良好的催化剂，它还具有抗病毒作用，也可用于乳糖酶分离、纤维素光解剂及用于制造耐热油漆等，本文报道了K_(15)[Ln(BW_(11)O_(39))_2]·xH_2O(简称