Structural study of trivalent lanthanide and actinide complexes formed upon solvent extraction

Abstract

The coordination of the trivalent 4f ions, Ln = Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺, as well as the trivalent 5f ion, Am³⁺, with diamide and dialkylphosphoric acid extractants, individually and in combination, was studied by use of X-ray absorption spectroscopy. These studies provide metrical information about the interatomic interactions between the f-ions (M³⁺) and the ligands, dihexylphosphoric acid (HDHP) and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dioctylhexylethoxymalonamide (DMDOHEMA), that is of practical relevance to the control of metal–ligand binding in liquid–liquid extraction systems for the separation of trivalent actinide ions, An³⁺, from trivalent lanthanide ions, Ln³⁺. Through systematic variations of extraction conditions and extractant combinations, we have found that the HDHP complexes with M³⁺ involve MO₆ coordination and distant M⋯P interactions, whereas the DMDOHEMA complexes with M³⁺ involve MO₈ coordination. The combination of the EXAFS results with ancillary extraction data and IR results facilitates descriptions of the stoichiometries and structures of the molecular species formed in solution upon liquid–liquid extraction and leads to a new understanding of the binary extraction systems in terms of the strength and selectivity of An³⁺- vs. Ln³⁺-ligand interactions. This fundamental structure information affords insight into solvent extraction processes that are of contemporary and practical importance in heavy element chemistry and to environmentally related issues arising from the separation and disposal of radioactive materials, particularly actinides and selected fission products, in the field of nuclear waste reprocessing research.