Ternary Complex Formation and Extraction Modeling in Malonate-Buffered Trivalent Actinide-Lanthanide Separations.

The formation of an aqueous ternary complex was investigated in the malonate-based Advanced TALSPEAK system by solvent extraction and optical spectroscopy. Features of the spectroscopy confirmed the presence of a ternary complex between malonate, HEDTA, and the trivalent americium or lanthanide ion. The ternary complex was then incorporated into a solvent extraction model to refine stability constants under Advanced TALSPEAK conditions. Good agreement was found in the equilibrium constants determined by both methods. These values were then used to model metal speciation and predict extraction behavior at different concentrations of malonate and HEDTA. Calculated metal distribution ratios show good correlation with experimental values. The apparent simplicity of the chemical interactions and predictability of malonate-buffered Advanced TALSPEAK provides a significant advantage over the less ideal interactions of conventional TALSPEAK.

Incorporating spectroscopic on-line monitoring as a method of detection for a Lewis cell setup.

A Lewis cell was designed and constructed for investigating solvent extraction systems by spectrophotometrically monitoring both the organic and aqueous phases in real time. This new Lewis cell was tested and shown to perform well compared to other previously reported Lewis cell designs. The advantage of the new design is that the spectroscopic measurement allows determination of not only metal ion concentrations, but also information regarding chemical speciation - information not available with previous Lewis cell designs. For convenience, the new Lewis cell design was dubbed COSMOFLEX (COntinuous Spectroscopic MOnitoring of Forrest's Liquid-liquid EXtraction cell). After construction performance testing was done for establishing the ideal stir speed range, UV-Vis measured concentration and D value determination. Each one of these tests was satisfactorily passed.

A Combined Density Functional Theory and Spectrophotometry Study of the Bonding Interactions of [NpO2·M]4+ Cation-Cation Complexes.

The equilibrium constants for [NpO2·M]4+ (M = Al3+, In3+, Sc3+, Fe3+) in µ = 10 M nitric acid and [NpO2·Ga]4+ in µ = 10 M hydrochloric acid media have been determined. The trend in the interaction strength follows: Fe3+ > Sc3+ ≥ In3+ > Ga3+ ≫ Al3+. These equilibrium constants are compared to those of previously reported values for NpO2+ complexes with Cr3+ and Rh3+ within the literature. Thermodynamic parameters and bonding modes are discussed, with density functional theory and natural bond orbital analysis indicating that the NpO2+ dioxocation acts as a π-donor with transition-metal cations and a σ-donor with group 13 cations. The small changes in electron-donating ability is modulated by the overlap with the coordinating metal ion's valence atomic orbitals.

Characterization of Lanthanide Complexes with Bis-1,2,3-triazole-bipyridine Ligands Involved in Actinide/Lanthanide Separation.

The complexation of selected trivalent lanthanide ions with derivatives of the tetranitrogen donor ligands 6,6'-bis-1R,1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-2,2'-bipyridines (BTzBPs, R = alkyl or aryl) was investigated in solid state and in solution. An anhydrous solid [Ce(Bn-BTzBP)(NO3)3] (Bn = benzene) complex was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Eu(III) complexes with the 2-ethyl(hexyl) derivative EH-BTzBP in methanol were studied by time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Earlier studies have identified the EH-BTzBP as a potentially useful solvent extraction reagent for the separation of americium from lanthanide metal ions, a challenging component of advanced nuclear fuel cycles for actinide transmutation. To help identify species formed in the extraction process, the influence of 2-bromohexanoic acid (identified as an essential component of the separation system) on Eu(III) complexes was investigated. Comparison with an organic phase after extraction of Eu(III) by EH-BTzBP and 2-bromohexanoic acid showed that both 1:1 and 1:2 (Eu/EH-BTzBP) complexes are involved in the extraction. UV-visible spectrophotometry was used to compare Eu(III) stability constants with those of other Ln(III) complexes.

Paramagnetism of aqueous actinide cations. Part I: Perchloric acid media.

A comprehensive study of actinide cation paramagnetism in acidic aqueous solution has been completed in perchlorate media. Employing the Evans method, all the readily accessible actinide cations have been studied using our specially outfitted NMR spectrometer equipped for use with radioactive samples. The effective magnetic moments observed, ranging from 0 to 13 µB, differ from the isoelectronic lanthanides, previous solid actinide studies, and older solution studies. Actinide (IV) and (V) ions show less paramagnetic character, while some actinide (III) ions exhibit greater paramagnetic behavior than predicted from free-ion calculation. Temperature dependence of actinide magnetic susceptibilities from 5 to 80 °C are in good agreement with a Curie-like law except for U(VI), which appears to be temperature-independent. Diamagnetic behavior of Th(IV) exhibits a very low temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility. Some explanations for the observations are offered, and the 5f electron behavior is compared to the 4f analogues.

Small-angle neutron scattering study of organic-phase aggregation in the TALSPEAK process.

The Trivalent Actinide-Lanthanide Separation by Phosphorus reagent Extraction from Aqueous Komplexes (TALSPEAK) process is a solvent extraction based method for separating trivalent lanthanides (Ln(3+)) from trivalent actinide cations in used nuclear fuel reprocessing. In conventional TALSPEAK, the extractant solution is di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) in 1,4-diisopropylbenzene (DIPB). The aqueous medium is diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N″,N″-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) in a concentrated lactic acid (HL) buffer. Lanthanides are extracted by HDEHP/DIPB, while the actinides remain in the aqueous phase as DTPA complexes. Lactic acid is extracted both independently of the lanthanides and as Ln/HL/HDEHP mixed complex(es). Previous results indicate that lanthanides are extracted both as the mixed complex and as a binary Ln(DEHP·HDEHP)(3) species. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) has been applied to study the self-organization properties of solute molecules in xylene solutions containing HDEHP, HL, selected lanthanide ions, and water. The scattering results demonstrate that the dominant HDEHP species is the hydrogen bonded dimer, (HDEHP)(2). Absent lanthanides, lactic acid is extracted as the 1:3 complex (HL·(HDEHP)(3)). Scattering in samples containing up to 0.005 M lanthanides (prepared by extracting lanthanides from aqueous media containing 1.0 M buffered lactic acid) indicates that the dominant metal complex is Ln(DEHP·HDEHP)(3). At 0.013 M extracted lanthanide, the scattering results indicate lower Ln:DEHP stoichiometry and larger scattering particles. At higher metal concentrations, the SANS results indicate large aggregates, the largest aggregates achieving a size equivalent to 20 HDEHP monomers as the primary scattering entity. Analysis of particle shapes indicates best fits with a uniform oblate spheroid particle. These results are discussed in connection with the results of a number of complementary observations that have been made on this system.

Optical spectroscopy study of organic-phase lanthanide complexes in the TALSPEAK separations process.

Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy have been applied to characterize the coordination environment of lipophilic complexes of Eu(3+) with bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (HDEHP) and (2-ethylhexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethylhexyl) ester (HEH[EHP]) in 1,4-diisopropylbenzene (DIPB). The primary focus is on understanding the role of lactate (HL) in lanthanide partitioning into DIPB solutions of HDEHP or HEH[EHP] as it is employed in the TALSPEAK solvent extraction process for lanthanide separations from trivalent actinides. The broader purpose of this study is to characterize the changes that can occur in the coordination environment of lanthanide ions as metal-ion concentrations increase in nonpolar media. The optical spectroscopy studies reported here complement an earlier investigation of similar solutions using NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Emission spectra of Eu(3+) complexes with HDEHP/HEH[EHP] demonstrate that, as long as the Eu(3+) concentration is maintained well below saturation of the organic extractant solution, the Eu(3+) coordination environment remains constant as both [HL](org) and [H(2)O](org) are increased. If the total organic-phase lanthanide concentration is increased (by extraction of moderate amounts of La(3+)), the (5)D(0) → (7)F(1) transition singlet splits into a doublet with a notable increase in the intensity of both (5)D(0) → (7)F(1) and (5)D(0) → (7)F(2) electronic transitions. The increased multiplicity in the emission spectra indicates that Eu(3+) ions are present in multiple coordination environments. The increased emission intensity of the 614 nm band implies an overall reduction in symmetry of the extracted Eu(3+) complex in the presence of macroscopic La(3+). Although [H(2)O](org) increases to above 1 M at high [HL](tot), this water is not associated with the Eu(3+) metal center. IR spectroscopy results confirm a direct Ln(3+)-lactate interaction at high concentrations of lanthanide and lactate in the extractant phase. At low organic-phase lanthanide concentrations, the predominant complex is almost certainly the well-known Ln(DEHP·HDEHP)(3). As lanthanide concentrations in the organic phase increase, mixed-ligand complexes with the general stoichiometry Ln(L)(n)(DEHP)(3-n) or Ln(L)(n)(DEHP·HDEHP)(3-n) become the dominant species.

Characterization of HDEHP-lanthanide complexes formed in a non-polar organic phase using 31P NMR and ESI-MS.

HDEHP (di-2-ethylhexylphosphoric acid) is one of the extractant molecules most intensively used in liquid-liquid extraction systems. Of particular interest in this investigation is its application in the TALSPEAK process, which is among the methods currently considered to be ready for technological deployment for the separation of trivalent actinides (Am(III) and Cm(III)) from lanthanide (Ln(III)) cations. However, several fundamental features of the chemistry of this separation system are not well understood. It has become clear that the lactic acid (LacH), which is employed as a buffer in the aqueous phase, plays a very complex role in the biphasic chemistry of the system. In this study, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance ((31)P NMR) was used to investigate the rate of HDEHP (AH) exchange occurring in the binary complexes Ln(AHA)(3) (Ln = La and Sm), which are usually considered to be the predominant species present in a non-polar organic phase (1,3-diisopropylbenzene). The rate data indicate considerably faster ligand exchange kinetics for La(AHA)(3) than is seen for Sm(AHA)(3), with a corresponding shift from a dissociative interchange to an associative process. With the introduction of lactic acid (LacH) and higher concentrations of lanthanides into the system, ternary complexes (Ln(3+)-HDEHP-lactate) become dominant, as demonstrated using (31)P NMR and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Lactate partitioning experiments indicate that the amount of lactate extracted is correlated with the concentration of Ln(3+). The terminal ternary complex species appears to have the general stoichiometry 1 : 2 : 1 (Ln(3+) : HDEHP : lactate). The detection of bimetallic ternary complexes (by ESI-MS) with La(3+) and the observation of multiple phosphorus environments (by NMR) suggest the presence of polymetallic complexes with the general formula (LaA(2)Lac)(n). A model is proposed in which DEHP(-) molecules bridge two metal ions.

Complexation of UVI with 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid in acidic to basic solutions.

Complexation of UVI with 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDPA) in acidic to basic solutions has been studied with multiple techniques. A number of 1:1 (UO2H3L), 1:2 (UO2HjL2 where j = +4, +3, +2, +1, 0, and -1), and 2:2 [(UO2)2HjL2 where j = +1, 0, and -1] complexes form, but the 1:2 complexes are the major species in a wide pH range. Thermodynamic parameters (formation constants and enthalpy and entropy of complexation) were determined by potentiometry and calorimetry. Data indicate that the complexation of UVI with HEDPA is exothermic, favored by the enthalpy of complexation. This is in contrast to the complexation of UVI with dicarboxylic acids in which the enthalpy term usually is unfavorable. Results from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and 31P NMR have confirmed the presence of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:2 UVIHEDPA complexes.

Thermodynamic study of the complexation of trivalent actinide and lanthanide cations by ADPTZ, a tridentate N-donor ligand.

To better understand the bonding in complexes of f-elements by polydentate N-donor ligands, the complexation of americium(III) and lanthanide(III) cations by 2-amino-4,6-di-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3,5-triazine (ADPTZ) was studied using a thermodynamic approach. The stability constants of the 1:1 complexes in a methanol/water mixture (75/25 vol %) were determined by UV-visible spectrophotometry for every lanthanide(III) ion (except promethium), and yttrium(III) and americium(III) cations. The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH degrees , DeltaS degrees) of complexation were determined from the temperature dependence of the stability constants and by microcalorimetry. The trends of the variations of DeltaG degrees , DeltaH degrees , and DeltaS degrees across the lanthanide series are compared with published results for other tridentate ligands and confirm strongly ionic bonding in the lanthanide-ADPTZ complexes. Comparison of the thermodynamic properties between the Am- and Ln-ADPTZ complexes highlights an increase in stability of the complexes by a factor of 20 in favor of the americium cation. This difference arises from a more exothermic reaction enthalpy in the case of Am, which is correlated with a greater degree of covalency in the americium-nitrogen bonds. Quantum chemistry calculations performed on a series of trivalent actinide and lanthanide-ADPTZ complexes support the experimental results, showing a slightly greater covalence in the actinide-ligand bonds that originates from a charge transfer from the ligand sigma orbitals to the 5f and 6d orbitals of the actinide ion.

Uranyl coordination environment in hydrophobic ionic liquids: an in situ investigation.

Different inner-sphere coordination environments are observed for the uranyl nitrate complexes formed with octyl-phenyl-N,N-diisobutylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxide and tributyl phosphate in dodecane and in the hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) [C(4)mim][PF(6)] and [C(8)mim][N(SO(2)CF(3))(2)]. Qualitative differences in the coordination environment of the extracted uranyl species are implied by changes in peak intensity patterns and locations for uranyl UV-visible spectral bands when the solvent is changed. EXAFS data for uranyl complexes in dodecane solutions is consistent with hexagonal bipyramidal coordination and the existence of UO(2)(NO(3))(2)(CMPO)(2). In contrast, the complexes formed when uranyl is transferred from aqueous nitric acid solutions into the ILs exhibit an average equatorial coordination number of approximately 4.5. Liquid/liquid extraction results for uranyl in both ILs indicate a net stoichiometry of UO(2)(NO(3))(CMPO)(+). The concentration of the IL cation in the aqueous phase increases in proportion to the amount of UO(2)(NO(3))(CMPO)(+) in the IL phase, supporting a predominantly cation exchange mechanism for partitioning in the IL systems.

Features of the thermodynamics of two-phase distribution reactions of americium(III) and europium(III) nitrates into solutions of 2,6-bis[(bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphino)methyl]pyridine N,P,P'-trioxide.

New bifunctional and trifunctional organophosphorus ligands, 2-[(bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphino)methyl]pyridine N,P-dioxide, DEH(MNOPO), and 2,6-bis[(bis(2-ethylhexyl)phosphino)methyl]pyridine N,P,P'-trioxide, TEH(NOPOPO), have been synthesized. In contrast with previously reported phenyl derivatives, the increased solubility of these ligands in normal paraffinic hydrocarbon solvents make them attractive reagents for actinide partitioning. While the bifunctional reagent DEH(MNOPO) interacts with Eu(3+) and Am(3+) comparatively weakly, the trifunctional TEH(NOPOPO) exhibits moderate to high ability to transfer the trisnitrato complexes of these ions into n-dodecane from acidic aqueous solutions. We report here the details of TEH(NOPOPO) and DEH(MNOPO) preparation and of their ability to extract HNO(3), Am(NO(3))(3), and Eu(NO(3))(3) into paraffinic hydrocarbons. The trifunctional TEH(NOPOPO) can extract up to two molecules of HNO(3). The dominant extracted species for both Am(NO(3))(3) and Eu(NO(3))(3) has two TEH(NOPOPO) ligands associated over the range of temperatures 10-40 degrees C. From the variation in the equilibrium coefficients for the phase transfer reactions as a function of temperature, we have calculated the enthalpies and entropies for extraction of HNO(3), Am(NO(3))(3), and Eu(NO(3))(3) into n-dodecane. Each metal nitrate is transferred into the organic phase in an exothermic process but opposed by an unfavorable (negative) entropy. The thermodynamic data are interpreted to indicate that the pyridine N-oxide is apparently a significantly weaker donor group for these metal ions than the phosphine oxides.