Theoretical Insights into Covalency Driven f Element Separations
The lanthanide series, Am, and Cm are predominantly found in the trivalent oxidation state in aqueous solutions making their separation very difficult to achieve. To date, one of the mostly promising separation processes for transplutonium elements from the lanthanides is the TALSPEAK process. Though the mechanism of the TALSPEAK process is not fully understood, it has been demonstrated to provide excellent separation factors between the lanthanides and the trivalent lanthanides. Through Density Function Theory (DFT) calculations of di 2-ethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N”,N”-pentaacetic acid (DTPA), we set out to understand the structures and stabilities of the aqueous phase complexes [MIII(DTPA)-H2O]2- (M = Nd, Am) as well as the changes in Gibbs free energy for complexation in the gas phase and aqueous solution. Mulliken population analysis, Bader’s Atoms-in-Molecules (AIM) approach, and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis were then used to analyze the bonding in both molecules. The results discussed below suggest that the preference of the DTPA5- ligand for Am over Nd is mainly due to electrostatic and covalent interactions from the oxygen atoms with the nitrogen chelates provide an additional, yet small, covalent interaction. These results question the exclusive use of hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB) concepts for the design of extracting reagents and suggest that hard-soft interactions play more of a role in the separations process than previously thought.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE - NE
- DOE Contract Number:
- DE-AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1080372
- Report Number(s):
- INL/JOU-12-26545
- Journal Information:
- Dalton Transactions, Vol. 42, Issue 7; ISSN 1477--9226
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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