Comparative study of pertechnetate reduction by thiourea using spectrophotometric,solvent extraction and ion-exchange methods

The results of a comparative study of pertechnetate reduction by thiourea in mineral acid (HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄) media using spectrophotometric, solvent extraction and ion-exchange chromatographic methods are presented. Changes of spectral characteristics of redox systems and distribution characteristics of reduced technetium (cationic) forms on extraction with bis(1,2-dicarbollide)cobaltic acid and on ion exchange on Dowex 50WX8 were established as a function of time and either aqueous or organic phase composition. Thiourea was tested as a reagent for reduction back-extraction of technetium from organic phases containing the amines Aliquat 336 and trilaurylmethylammonium as convenient extraction reagents for pertechnetate.