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Title: Aspects of plutonium solution chemistry

Journal Article · · ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States)

The effect of pH and complexation on the relative stabilities of the oxidation states of Pu is discussed. A set of ionic radii are presented for Pu in different oxidation states and different coordination numbers. A model for Pu hydration is presented and the relation between hydrolysis and oxidation state evaluated, including the problem of hydrous polymerization. Complexation of Pu is discussed in terms of the relative stabilities of different oxidation states and the effective ionic charge of PuO/sub 2//sup +/ and PuO/sub 2//sup +2/. An equation is proposed for calculating stability constants of Pu complexes and its correlation with experimental values demonstrated. The competition between inner vs outer sphere complexation as affected by the oxidation state of Pu and the pKa of the ligand is reviewed. Two examples of uses of specific complexing agents for Pu indicate a useful direction for future studies. 29 references, 8 figures, 3 tables.

Research Organization:
Florida State Univ., Tallahassee
OSTI ID:
5973765
Journal Information:
ACS Symp. Ser.; (United States), Vol. 216
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English