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Selected alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkylcarbamoylmethylphosphine oxides as extractants for Am(III) from nitric acid media

Journal Article · · Sep. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

A new series of neutral bifunctional extractants, alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkyl-carbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, has been prepared and studied as extractants for Am(III) from nitric acid media. Two types of alkyl(phenyl)-N,N-dialkyl CMPO compounds were prepared, one containing N,N-diethyl groups and the other containing N,N-diisobutyl groups. The N,N-diethyl series contained hexyl(phenyl) and 6-methylheptyl(phenyl) derivatives, abbreviated H phi DECMPO and 6-MH phi DECMPO, respectively. The N,N-diisobutyl series contained the n-octyl(phenyl), 6-methylheptyl(phenyl), and the 2-ethylhexyl(phenyl) derivatives, abbreviated O phi D(IB)CMPO, 6-MH phi D(IB)CMPO, and 2-EH phi D(IB)CMPO, respectively. Third power extractant dependencies for the extraction of Am(III) from 0.5 and 3 M HNO/sub 3/ were obtained at low (< 0.25 M) concentrations of extractant, but higher power dependencies were obtained above 0.25 M extractant from 3 M HNO/sub 3/. The H phi DECMPO, 6-MH phi DECMPO, 6-MH phi D(IB)CMPO, and O phi D(IB)CMPO (all 0.5 M in diethylbenzene (DEB)) are significantly better extractants than DHDECMPO for Am(III) from 1 to 6 M HNO/sub 3/. These same extractants have lower D/sub Am/ values than DHDECMPO at low acidities. H phi DECMPO and O phi D(IB)CMPO also have better selectivity for Am(III) over Fe(III) than DHDECMPO. H phi DECMPO in DEB has a strong tendency toward the formation of a second liquid organic phase on extracting macroconcentrations of Nd(III) and U(VI) from 3 M HNO/sub 3/; however, this behavior is substantially diminished with the O phi D(IB)CMPO and 6-MH phi D(IB)CMPO compounds.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Lab., IL
DOE Contract Number:
W-31109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6235767
Journal Information:
Sep. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Journal Name: Sep. Sci. Technol.; (United States) Vol. 17:10; ISSN SSTED
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English