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Title: Advancing Understanding of the +4 Metal Extractant Thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (TTA); Synthesis and Structure of MIVTTA4 (MIV = Zr, Hf, Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu) and MIII(TTA)4 (MIII = Ce, Nd, Sm, Yb)

Journal Article · · Inorganic Chemistry

Thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA)-based extractions represent popular methods for separating microscopic amounts of transuranic actinides (i.e., Np and Pu) from macroscopic actinide matrixes (e.g. bulk uranium). It is well-established that this procedure enables +4 actinides to be selectively removed from +3, + 5, and +6 f-elements. However, even highly skilled and well-trained researchers find this process complicated and (at times) unpredictable. It is difficult to improve the HTTA extraction—or find alternatives—because little is understood about why this separation works. Even the identities of the extracted species are unknown. In addressing this knowledge gap, we report in this paper advances in fundamental understanding of the HTTA-based extraction. This effort included comparatively evaluating HTTA complexation with +4 and +3 metals (MIV = Zr, Hf, Ce, Th, U, Np, and Pu vs MIII = Ce, Nd, Sm, and Yb). We observed +4 metals formed neutral complexes of the general formula MIV(TTA)4. Meanwhile, +3 metals formed anionic MIII(TTA)4 species. Characterization of these M(TTA)4x– (x = 0, 1) compounds by UV–vis–NIR, IR, 1H and 19F NMR, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (both near-edge and extended fine structure) was critical for determining that NpIV(TTA)4 and PuIV(TTA)4 were the primary species extracted by HTTA. Furthermore, this information lays the foundation to begin developing and understanding of why the HTTA extraction works so well. The data suggest that the solubility differences between MIV(TTA)4 and MIII(TTA)4 are likely a major contributor to the selectivity of HTTA extractions for +4 cations over +3 metals. Finally and moreover, these results will enable future studies focused on explaining HTTA extractions preference for +4 cations, which increases from Np IV to PuIV, HfIV, and ZrIV.

Research Organization:
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); LANL Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; National Science Foundation (NSF); National Inst. of Health (NIH) (United States)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-06NA25396; AC02-76SF00515; CHE 1602240; P41GM103393
OSTI ID:
1435518
Report Number(s):
LA-UR-17-25117
Journal Information:
Inorganic Chemistry, Vol. 57, Issue 7; ISSN 0020-1669
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 23 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (5)

Tris(1,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dionato)(dimethanol)terbium(III): synthesis, crystal structure, and luminescent properties journal December 2019
Synergism in the Solvent Extraction of Europium(III) with Thenoyltrifluoroacetone and CMPO in Methylimidazolium Ionic Liquids journal January 2019
Ultra-selective ligand-driven separation of strategic actinides journal June 2019
A convenient and practical synthesis of β-diketones bearing linear perfluorinated alkyl groups and a 2-thienyl moiety journal January 2018
Complexation of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) with trivalent f-cations in an ionic liquid: solvent extraction and spectroscopy studies journal January 2019


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