Nickel(II) Complexation with Nitrate in Dry [C4mim][Tf2N] Ionic Liquid: A Spectroscopic, Microcalorimetric, and Molecular Dynamics Study.

The complex formation of nitrate ions with nickel(II) in dry [C4mim][Tf2N] ionic liquid (IL) was investigated by means of UV-visible spectrophotometry, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (EXAFS), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. EXAFS spectroscopy and MD simulations show that the solvated Ni(II) cation is initially coordinated by the oxygens of the [Tf2N](-) anion of IL, which can behave either as mono- or bidentate. Spectroscopic and thermodynamic data show that Ni(II) is able to form up to three stable mononuclear complexes with nitrate in this solvent. The stability constants for Ni(NO3)j complexes (j = 1-3) calculated from spectrophotometry and ITC experiments decrease in the order log K1 > log K2 > log K3. The formation of the first two species is enthalpy-driven, while the third species is entropy-stabilized. The UV-vis spectra of solutions containing different nitrate/Ni(II) ratios show that the metal ion retains the six-coordinate geometry. Furthermore, the EXAFS evidences that nitrate is always bidentate. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the [Tf2N](-) anions bind Ni(II) through the sulfonyl oxygen atoms and can coordinate either as monodentate or chelate. The analysis of the MD data shows that introduction of nitrates in the first coordination sphere of the metal ion results in remarkable structural rearrangement of the ionic liquid.

Liquid-liquid extraction of actinides, lanthanides, and fission products by use of ionic liquids: from discovery to understanding.

Liquid-liquid extraction of actinides and lanthanides by use of ionic liquids is reviewed, considering, first, phenomenological aspects, then looking more deeply at the various mechanisms. Future trends in this developing field are presented.

Dramatic Changes in the Solubilities of Ions Induced by Ligand Addition in Biphasic System D2O/DNO3//[C1C4im][Tf2N]: A Phenomenological Study.

The solubilities of C1C4im(+) and Tf2N(-) in nitric aqueous phases have been measured for several ligand types and concentrations (0.04 M tributylphosphine oxide, 0.05 M N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dibutylmalonamide, 0.10 M 1-methyl-3-[4-(dibutylphosphinoyl)butyl]-3H-imidazol-1-ium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imidate, and 1.1 M N,N-dihexyloctanamide). The data evidence a significant difference between the solubilities of the cations and anions of the ionic liquid as a consequence of several ion-exchange and/or ion-pairing mechanisms involving all ions present in the system as well as the protonation/nitric-extraction ability of the ligand.

Is a universal model to describe liquid-liquid extraction of cations by use of ionic liquids in reach?

A general chemical model describing the extraction mechanism of cations from an acidified aqueous phase toward an ionic liquid phase in which an extracting agent is dissolved is proposed. On this basis, fits are made which recover very satisfactorily the variation of the distribution ratio as a function of [HNO(3)] for several experimental data sets from the literature. This chemical model is discussed and compared to another model.

Evidence for the formation of UO2(NO3)4(2-) in an ionic liquid by EXAFS.

The complexation between uranium(vi) and nitrate ions in a hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), namely [BMI][NO(3)] (BMI = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium(+)), is investigated by EXAFS spectroscopy. It was performed by dissolution of uranyl nitrate UO(2)(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O or UO(2)(Tf(2)N)(2) (Tf(2)N = bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (CF(3)SO(2))(2)N(-)). The formation of the complex UO(2)(NO(3))(4)(2-) is evidenced.

Perrhenate complexation by uranyl in traditional solvents and in ionic liquids: a joint molecular dynamics/spectroscopic study.

The complexation of perrhenate (ReO(4)(-)) anions by the uranyl (UO(2)(2+)) cation has been investigated by joint molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopic (UV-vis, TRLFS, and EXAFS) studies in aqueous solution, acetonitrile, and three ionic liquids (ILs), namely, [Bmi][Tf(2)N], [Me(3)BuN][Tf(2)N], and [Bu(3)MeN][Tf(2)N] that are based on the same Tf(2)N(-) anion (bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide) and either Bmi(+) (1-butyl,3-methylimidazolium), Me(3)BuN(+), or Bu(3)MeN(+) cations. They show that ReO(4)(-) behaves as a weak ligand in aqueous solution and as a strong ligand in acetonitrile and in the ILs. According to MD simulations in aqueous solution, the UO(2)(ReO(4))(2) complex quickly dissociates to form UO(2)(H(2)O)(5)(2+), while in acetonitrile, a stable UO(2)(ReO(4))(5)(3-) species forms from dissociated ions. In the ILs, the UO(2)(ReO(4))(n)(2-n) complexes (n = 1 to 5) remained stable along the dynamics, and to assess their relative stabilities, we computed the free energy profiles for stepwise ReO(4)(-) complexation to uranyl. In the two studied ILs, complexation is favored, leading to the UO(2)(ReO(4))(5)(3-) species in [Bmi][Tf(2)N] and to UO(2)(ReO(4))(4)(2-) in [Bu(3)MeN][Tf(2)N]. Furthermore, in both acetonitrile and [Bmi][Tf(2)N] solutions, MD and PMF simulations support the formation of dimeric uranyl complexes [UO(2)(ReO(4))(4)](2)(4-) with two bridging ReO(4)(-) ligands. The simulation results are qualitatively consistent with spectroscopic observations in the different solvents, without firmly concluding, however, on the precise composition and structure of the complexes in the solutions.

Comparison of uranyl extraction mechanisms in an ionic liquid by use of malonamide or malonamide-functionalized ionic liquid.

The extraction of uranyl from acidic (HNO(3)) aqueous solutions toward an ionic liquid phase, C(1)-C(4)-imTf(2)N (1-methyl,3-butylimidazolium Tf(2)N), has been investigated as a function of initial acid concentration and ligand concentration for two different extracting moieties: a classical malonamide, N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dibutylmalonamide (DMDBMA) and a functionalized IL composed of the Tf(2)N(-) anion and an imidazolium cation on which a malonamide pattern has been grafted (FIL-MA). The extraction mechanism, as demonstrated through the influence of added C(1)-C(4)-imCl or added LiTf(2)N in the aqueous phase, is slightly different between the DMDBMA and FIL-MA extracting agents. Modeling of the extraction data evidences a double extraction mechanism, with cation exchange of UO(2)(2+)versus 2 H(+) for DMDBMA or versus C(1)-C(4) -im(+) and H(+) for FIL-MA at low acidic values, and through anion exchange of [UO(2)(NO(3))(3)](-)versus Tf(2)N(-) for both ligands at high HNO(3) concentrations. The FIL-MA molecule is more efficient than its classical DMDBMA parent.

Determination of successive complexation constants in an ionic liquid: complexation of UO(2)(2+) with NO(3)(-) in C(4)-mimTf(2)N studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy.

The complexation of UO(2)(2+) with NO(3)(-) has been investigated in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide by UV-vis spectroscopy at T = 18.5 degrees C. The complexation is evidenced through the appearance of four peaks at 425, 438, 453, and 467 nm. EXAFS data indicate that the trinitrato complex, UO(2)(NO(3))(3)(-), is dominating the speciation for a reagent ratio of [NO(3)(-)]/[UO(2)(2+)] > 3. Assuming three successive complexation steps, the conditional stability constants are calculated, the individual absorption spectra are derived, and a speciation plot is presented.

Task-specific ionic liquids bearing 2-hydroxybenzylamine units: synthesis and americium-extraction studies.

The synthesis of two task-specific ionic liquids (TSILs) bearing 2-hydroxybenzylamine entities is described. These compounds are based on an imidazolium substructure onto which one hydrobenzylamine-complexing moiety is grafted. We have demonstrated that, whether pure or diluted, TSIL is able to extract americium ions. Furthermore, recovery of americium from the IL phase into a receiving phase can be achieved under acidic conditions. A possible mechanism for the metal-ion partitioning is presented, in which the extraction system is driven by an ion-exchange mechanism.

Extraction of lanthanides from aqueous solution by using room-temperature ionic liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide in conjunction.

For the first time, the study of a three-step extraction system of water/ionic liquid/supercritical CO2 has been performed. Extraction of trivalent lanthanum and europium from an aqueous nitric acid solution to a supercritical CO2 phase via an imidazolium-based ionic liquid phase is demonstrated, and extraction efficiencies higher than 87 % were achieved. The quantitative extraction is obtained by using different fluorinated beta-diketones with and without the addition of tri(n-butyl)phosphate. The complexation phenomenon occurring in the room-temperature ionic-liquid (RTIL) phase was evidenced by using luminescence spectroscopy.

Uranyl complexation in fluorinated acids (HF, HBF4, HPF6, HTf2N): a combined experimental and theoretical study.

The aim of this work is to characterize the complexation ability of F-, BF4-, PF6-, and Tf2N- toward uranyl ions in aqueous solution. These anions were chosen as they represent the anionic part of the most studied room-temperature ionic liquids. Time-resolved emission spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to retrieve structural data on the complexes formed. The results obtained were compared with computational data. Tf2N- does not complex uranyl, even at high concentration. Other fluorinated acids form inner-sphere complexes with U(VI), in a monodentate fashion in the case of BF4- and PF6-.

Europium(III) and its halides in anhydrous room-temperature imidazolium-based ionic liquids: a combined TRES, EXAFS, and molecular dynamics study.

Combining spectroscopic techniques (TRES and EXAFS) and molecular dynamics simulations, we have investigated the state of trivalent europium dissolved in room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs), as a function of the RTIL anion and in the presence of added chloride anions. The studied RTILs are based on the 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium (Bumim+) cation and differ by their anionic counterparts: BF4-, PF6-, Tf- (triflate, CF3SO3-), and Tf2N- [(CF3SO2)2N-]. The results show the strong influence of the RTIL nature on the first solvation shell of europium and on its complexation with chloride. Depending on the RTIL, europium(III), which was introduced in solution as a triflate salt, is found to be solvated either by RTIL anions only or as neutral undissociated EuTf3 moieties completed by solvent anions. Kinetic effects, related to the viscosity of the RTIL and the nature of the europium salt, also markedly influence the coordination of added Cl- or F- anions to the metal.

Stability of divalent europium in an ionic liquid: spectroscopic investigations in 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate.

In this work, devoted to 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ionic liquid (BumimPF(6)), the importance of the purity of the solvent for spectroscopic investigations is highlighted. Results from small angle X-ray scattering indicate that the pure solvent exhibits a local organization. Europium(II), which appears to be unusually stable in BumimPF(6), is characterized by spectroscopic techniques (absorption, luminescence). Solvation of Eu(II) in BumimPF(6) and complexation effects in the presence of the crown ether 15C5 solubilized in the ionic liquid are discussed.