Extraction chemistry of uranyl nitrate and nitric acid in high concentration systems

HNO₃ is extracted in significant quantities by uranyl nitrate solvates with different extractants: TBP (tributyl phosphate), TOPO (trioctyl phosphine oxide) and TDA (tetradecyl ammonium). The effect of diluent nature is not observed on extracting HNO₃ and TBP saturated by uranium at equilibrium with its salt using the diluents (CCl₄, C₆H₅Cl, C₁₂H₂₆, CHCl₃) which are less polar than UO₂(NO₃)₂(TBP)₂. HNO₃ occurs in organic phase as undissociated form and its state is similar to pure anhydrous HNO₃. Solvates of TBP and TDA with uranyl nitrate dissolve HNO₃ without displacement of uranium from organic phase.