Mudassir Iqbal

Diglycolamide-Functionalized Calix[4]arenes Showing Unusual Complexation of Actinide Ions in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids: Role of Ligand Structure, Radiolytic Stability, Emission Spectroscopy, and Thermodynamic Studies

Diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arenes (C4DGAs) with varying structural modifications were evaluated for actinide complexation from their extraction behavior toward actinide ions such as UO2(2+), Pu(4+), PuO2(2+), and Am(3+) in the room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) 1-n-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide (C8mimNTf2). The formation constants were calculated for Am(3+) which showed a significant role of ligand structure, nature of substituents, and spacer length. Although the alkyl substituents on the amidic nitrogen increase the extraction efficiency of americium at lower acidity because of the inductive effect of the alkyl groups, at higher acidity the steric crowding around the ligating site determines the extraction efficiency. All C4DGAs formed 1:1 complexes with Am(3+) while for the analogous Eu(3+) complexes no inner sphere water molecules were detected and the asymmetry of the metal ligand complex differed from one another as proved by time-resolved laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLIFS). Thermodynamic studies indicated that the extraction process, predominant by the Am(3+)-C4DGA complexation reaction, is exothermic. The unique role of the medium on Am(3+) complexation with the C4DGA molecules with varying spacer length, L-IV and L-V, was noticed for the first time with a reversal in the trend observed in the RTIL compared to that seen in a nonpolar molecular diluent like n-dodecane. Various factors leading to a more preorganized structure were responsible for favorable metal ion complexation. The solvent systems show promise to be employed for nuclear waste remediation, and sustainability options were evaluated from radiolytic stability as well as stripping studies.

Highly Efficient Diglycolamide‐Based Task‐Specific Ionic Liquids: Synthesis, Unusual Extraction Behaviour, Irradiation, and Fluorescence Studies

Two new diglycolamide-based task-specific ionic liquids (DGA-TSILs) were evaluated for the extraction of actinides and lanthanides from acidic feed solutions. These DGA-TSILs were capable of exceptionally high extraction of trivalent actinide ions, such as Am(3+), and even higher extraction of the lanthanide ion, Eu(3+) (about 5-10 fold). Dilution of the DGA-TSILs in an ionic liquid, C(4)mim(+)·NTf(2)(-), afforded reasonably high extraction ability, faster mass transfer, and more efficient stripping of the metal ion. The nature of the extracted species was studied by slope analysis, which showed that the extracted species contained one NO(3)(-) anion, along with the participation of two DGA-TSIL molecules. Time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) analysis showed a strong complexation with no inner-sphere water molecule in the Eu(III)-DGA-TSIL complexes in the presence and absence of C(4)mim(+)·NTf(2)(-) as the diluent. The very high radiolytic stability of DGA-TSIL 6 makes it one of the most-efficient solvent systems for the extraction of actinides under acidic feed conditions.

Extraction of Am(III) using novel solvent systems containing a tripodal diglycolamide ligand in room temperature ionic liquids: a 'green' approach for radioactive waste processing

Extraction of Am3+ from acidic feed solutions was investigated using novel solvent systems containing a tripodal diglycolamide (T-DGA) in three room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), viz. [C4mim][NTf2], [C6mim][NTf2] and [C8mim][NTf2]. Compared to the results obtained with N,N,N′,N′-tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide (TODGA), T-DGA gave significantly higher distribution coefficients in these RTILs. The DAm values decreased with increasing carbon chain length in the RTILs, which was related to the solubility of the RTIL in the aqueous phase. The distribution studies included the effect of equilibration time, aqueous phase acid concentration variation and T-DGA concentration variation. In general, significantly higher equilibration times were observed for the extraction systems, which was partly due to the viscous RTIL phase and partly due to the slow conformational changes of the T-DGA ligand during complexation. Apart from Am3+, extraction of Pu4+, UO22+, Eu3+, Sr2+ and Cs+ was also investigated, since they have significant implications in radioactive waste processing. Stripping studies indicated >99% stripping in three stages using 0.5 M EDTA or DTPA in 1 M guanidine carbonate. Slope analysis indicated the extraction of 1 : 1 complexed species of Am(III) with T-DGA. Time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) studies showed a strong complexation with no inner-sphere water molecules in the Eu(III)–T-DGA complexes for [C4mim][NTf2] as the diluent. Radiolytic degradation studies of the solvent systems containing T-DGA in the three RTILs were also carried out and while the DAm values decreased marginally when the solvents were exposed to 500 kGy absorbed dose, a relatively sharp decrease (60%) was seen when the solvents were exposed further to 1000 kGy absorbed dose, suggesting the possibility of recycling. Extraction studies were also carried out at varying temperatures and the thermodynamic parameters were calculated.

A novel CMPO-functionalized task specific ionic liquid: synthesis, extraction and spectroscopic investigations of actinide and lanthanide complexes

A novel CMPO (carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide) based task specific ionic liquid (TSIL) with an NTf(2)(-) counter anion was synthesized and evaluated for actinide/lanthanide extraction from acidic feed solutions using several room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs). The extraction data were compared with those obtained with CMPO in the same set of RTILs and also in the molecular diluent, n-dodecane. The extracted species were analyzed by the conventional slope analysis method and the extraction followed an ion-exchange mechanism. The nature of bonding in the extracted complexes was investigated by various spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR and UV-visible spectroscopy.

Plutonium(IV) complexation by diglycolamide ligands—coordination chemistry insight into TODGA-based actinide separations

Complexation of Pu(IV) with TMDGA, TEDGA, and TODGA diglycolamide ligands was followed by vis-NIR spectroscopy. A crystal structure determination reveals that TMDGA forms a 1 : 3 homoleptic Pu(IV) complex with the nitrate anions forced into the outer coordination sphere.

Synthesis and Am/Eu extraction of novel TODGA derivatives

Various ligands with structural modifications of the N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3-oxapentanediamide (TODGA) skeleton were synthesised in good yields. These modifications include (1) the increase in chain length from one carbon to two carbons between the central ether oxygen atom and the amide moieties, (2) the addition of substituents on the carbon between the central oxygen atom and the amide moieties on one and both sides of the central oxygen, (3) the replacement of the central oxygen by a (substituted) nitrogen atom and (4) synthesis of a rigidified glycolamide. The effect of the structural modifications on their extraction behaviours toward Am(III) and Eu(III) at various nitric acid concentrations was studied. In most of the cases, the extraction does not exceed that of TODGA in the entire acidity range of 0.001–4 mol/l HNO3. The extraction behaviour of monomethyl–TODGA derivative 10a resembles that of TODGA at high nitric acid concentrations. However, at lower acidities, its D values are much lower, which is beneficial for possible back-extraction steps. The aza-tripodal ligands 18a,b show reverse extraction properties compared to TODGA as far as the pH influence is concerned: at pH 2, the D Am values are 49.9 and 3.1, the D Eu values are 5.9 and 0.2, and the S Am/Eu values are 8 and 11, respectively.

Modified diglycolamides for the An(III) + Ln(III) co-separation: evaluation by solvent extraction and time-resoved laser fluorescence spectroscopy

The use of two recently developed diglycolamide-based extractants for the co-separation of trivalent actinides (An(III)) and lanthanides (Ln(III)) is described and compared to the well-known extractant TODGA (N,N,N’,N’-tetraoctyl diglycolamide). The addition of one or two methyl groups to the central methylene carbon atoms of the TODGA molecule leads to a reduction of the extraction efficiency for An(III) and Ln(III). This is attributed to a lower complex formation constant, which was proven by Time-Resolved Laser Fluorescence Spectroscopy (TRLFS). Conditional stability constants were determined by solvent extraction and TRLFS. The reduction in extraction efficiency leads to overall reduced distribution ratios of all tested metal ions, including Sr(II). The reduced Sr(II) extraction is beneficial as a co-extraction in a solvent extraction process could be avoided, while an efficient extraction of the desired An(III) and Ln(III) is still achieved. Furthermore, this might be a benefit, as the stripping behavior might be improved, even at moderate nitric acid concentrations. The slightly higher affinity of the diglycolamides towards Eu(III) over Am(III) is represented by all ligands, although the selectivity is rather low. This results in promising extraction properties of the modified diglycolamides towards the development of continuous solvent extraction processes.

Diglycolamide-functionalized task specific ionic liquids for nuclear waste remediation: extraction, luminescence, theoretical and EPR investigations

A 3.6 × 10−2 M solution of a diglycolamide-functionalized task specific ionic liquid (DGA-TSIL) in [C4mim][NTf2] was used for the extraction of actinides (mainly Am) and other elements present in high level nuclear waste. The extraction of Eu3+ was relatively higher than that of Am3+ conforming to the mechanism displayed by other diglycolamide extractants such as TODGA (tetraoctyl diglycolamide). The distribution ratio values decreased in the presence of simulated high level waste (SHLW) as compared to those obtained with pure tracers. The nature of the extracted species was established by the slope analysis method which suggested 1:2 species for the extraction of Am3+ and Eu3+. Calculation of the Judd–Ofelt parameters from the luminescence data of the Eu3+ complexes indicated that the structure of the extracted complexes exhibits S4 symmetry. Theoretical calculations showed virtually no difference between the structures of the complexes of Am3+ and Eu3+. The nature of the radiolytic degradation products was analyzed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic measurements revealing the presence of alkyl imidazolium and methyl radicals.

Complexation of trivalent lanthanides and actinides with several novel diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arenes: solvent extraction, luminescence and theoretical studies

Several diglycolamide-functionalized calix[4]arenes (DGA–Calix) were evaluated for actinide extraction from acidic feeds. The ligands with four diglycolamide (DGA) pendent arms are significantly more effective extractants than those with two DGA pendent arms. The ligands have a preference for the extraction of Eu3+, a representative trivalent lanthanide ion, as compared to Am3+, a commonly encountered trivalent actinide ion. The role of organic diluents on the metal ion extraction was investigated and the results were compared with the widely studied DGA-based extractant TODGA (N,N,N′,N′-tetra-n-octyl diglycolamide). Time resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) studies showed a strong complexation with no inner-sphere water molecules in the Eu(III)–DGA–Calix complexes and the complex formation constants (log β) were calculated. Ab initio density functional calculations were carried out to explain the higher stability of the Eu-complex of the DGA–Calix ligand with four pendent arms as compared to the one with two pendent arms.

Two novel extraction chromatography resins containing multiple diglycolamide-functionalized ligands: preparation, characterization and actinide uptake properties.

Two extraction chromatography resins were prepared for the first time by impregnating multiple diglycolamide-functionalized ligands such as diglycolamide-calix[4]arene (C4DGA) and tripodal diglycolamide (T-DGA) on Chromosorb-W, an inert solid support, for the removal of hazardous actinides like Am(III) from radioactive waste solutions at 3M nitric acid. The resins were characterized by SEM, thermal and surface area (BET) analyses. The sorption of Am(III) on the two resins followed pseudo-second order sorption rate kinetics and was exothermic in nature. The sorption of trivalent f-elements proceeded through a chemisorption monolayer phenomenon as analyzed by using several isotherm models. The negative free energy change (ΔG) values of -34.46 and -28.45kJ/mol for T-DGA and C4DGA, respectively, indicate a chemical interaction between the metal ions and the ligands on the surface of the resins. Distribution coefficient measurements of various metal ions showed a selective sorption of trivalent f-elements over hexavalent uranyl ions and other fission product elements. Column studies on breakthrough indicated 0.76 and 0.37mg/g as the breakthrough capacities of the T-DGA and the C4DGA resins, respectively. It was possible to quantitatively elute the loaded metal ion using EDTA solutions.