Non-Dispersive Solvent Extraction of Neodymium using N,N,N’,N’-Tetraoctyl Diglycolamide (TODGA)

Hollow fiber contactor was used to study non-dispersive extraction (NDSX) of Nd³⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl diglycolamide (TODGA) diluted with n-dodecane was used as the organic phase with di-n-hexyl octanamide (DHOA) as the phase modifier. The role of cations (H⁺/Na⁺) on the transport of Nd³⁺ ions has been investigated for this system. It was observed that H⁺ ion has a significant role to play in the Nd³⁺/TODGA complexation reaction. A mathematical model has also been developed to simulate the NDSX process in a hollow fiber contactor. A comparison has also been made between extraction profiles from the NDSX process and the hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) process. It was observed that NDSX gave comparatively faster rates of extraction in the presence of H⁺ ions but slower in the absence of H⁺ ions.     

Electrospin of polysulfone in N,N’-dimethyl acetamide solutions

Nanofibers of polysulfone (PSU) were prepared by electro-spinning from 10∼20 wt.% PSU solutions in N,N’-dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) mixed with 0.0∼0.1 wt.% LiCl. With increasing PSU concentration, the morphology of fibers electrospun were bead, mixture of bead-fiber and fiber, and smooth fibers when PSU concentration was 10, 12–15, and 18–20 wt.%, respectively. The bead sizes decreased and fiber diameters increased as PSU concentration was increased. The fiber diameter decreased with increases of the LiCl concentration and the distance from spinneret to collection plate. The fiber diameter also decreased with decreasing solution feeding rate. The fiber diameter distribution electrospun from 20 wt.% PSU solutions was much broader than those electrospun from 18 wt.% PSU solution. For 18 wt.% PSU solution, the average fiber diameter (AFD) decreased when the applied voltage V was increased from 7 to 12 kV. However, for 20 wt.% PSU solutions, the AFD increased when V was increased from 7 to 12 kV. The different morphology of fibers electrospun from 18 and 20 wt.% PSU solutions was attributed to the much higher viscosity of 20 wt.% PSU solution than 18 wt.% PSU solution.     

Comparison of Hydrometallurgical Parameters of N,N‐Dialkylamides and of Tri‐n‐Butylphosphate

Straight‐chain N,N‐dihexyloctanamide (DHOA) and branched‐chain N,N‐di(2‐ethylhexyl)isobutyramide (D2EHIBA) have been identified as promising alternatives to tri‐n‐butylphosphate (TBP) for the reprocessing of spent uranium based fuels, and selective extraction of ²³³U from irradiated thorium fuels, respectively. The present work deals with the effects of different hydrodynamic parameters such as viscosity, density, and interfacial tension (IFT) on the phase‐separation time (PST) under uranium and thorium loading conditions. The IFT values have been determined under varying experimental conditions such as the aqueous nitric acid concentration, n‐dodecane purity, ligand concentration, and thorium/uranium loading conditions. These studies have suggested that the quality of n‐dodecane affects the IFT values of different solutions. The IFT values of D2EHIBA changed marginally (23.3 ± 0.9 mNm^?1) against THOREX feed solution for the wide range of D2EHIBA concentration (0.1–1.0 M). However, IFT, viscosity, and PST values increased with uranium loading of 1.1 M DHOA. These studies suggested that a lower phase‐disengagement rate with increased uranium loading was mainly due to the increased viscosity of the loaded 1.1 M DHOA solution.     

Extraction behavior of strontium from nitric acid medium with N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dioctyldiglcolamide

Strontium-90 (⁹⁰Sr), one of the most significant fission products carried into high-level waste (HLW), should preferably be separated from HLW. In this investigation, the extraction of Sr²⁺ was carried out using N,N’-dimethyl-N,N’-dioctyldiglcolamide (DMDODGA) in 40/60 (V/V)% 1-octanol/kerosene or ionic liquid (IL) [C₆mim][Tf₂N]. The composition of the extracted complex between DMDODGA and HNO₃ depends on the aqueous HNO₃ concentration. The distribution ratio of Sr²⁺ (D_Sr) is influenced by the initial concentration of HNO₃ and strontium in the aqueous phase, the concentration of DMDODGA, and temperature. The stoichiometry of Sr²⁺ and DMDODGA in the extracted complex is 1:3. D_Sr in the IL is two orders of magnitude higher than that in 40/60 (V/V)% 1-octanol/kerosene at lower acidity.     

Pseudokinetics for the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene produced using n-butyl lithium and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine,considering different reactivities of the structural units

The anionic solution copolymerization of butadiene and styrene prepared by anionic living polymerization using an initiator composed of n-butyl lithium, and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine as active center modifier was modeled as a tetrapolymerization. The kinetic model proposed considering that the reactivity of the active sites is different because of varying configurations cis, trans, vinyl, and styryl. From the reaction scheme expressions to rate of monomers consumption, microstructure and dyad formation were obtained. With the first-order Markov model, the expressions for the fraction of active sites and dyad distribution as a function of the conditional probabilities were obtained. Therefore, the model proposed is different to kinetic models previously reported, because it allows obtaining the parameters kinetic in order to know the distribution of the isomeric species presents in the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene, and the intrinsic reactivity of configurational active sites. The rate constants were determined by fitting to the conversion and dyad experimental data using the nonlinear least square method. The experimental data reported in the literature, monomer conversion and microstructure, in addition to dyad sequence distribution were correctly predicted.     

Synthesis of N,N′-Dimethyl-N,N′-Dioctyl-3-Oxadiglycolamide and its Extraction Properties for Lanthanides

Abstract

Tetraalkyl-3-oxadiglycolamides show good prospects in nuclear reprocessing because of their complete incinerability. In addition, their degradation products interfere much less in the separation process when compared with organophosphorus extractants. An asymmetric extractant, N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dioctyl-3-oxadiglycolamide, has been synthesized by a five-step process. The compound was applied to the extraction of selected lanthanides from nitric acid solutions using chloroform as diluent. Its extraction properties for lanthanides from nitrate media have been described. The distribution ratio of the selected metal ions has been studied as a function of aqueous HNO₃ concentrations, diglycolamide concentration and temperature.     

An X-ray diffraction study of oriented lithium-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine intercalated graphite

The intercalation of N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine (tmeda) into C₆Li derived from papyex, a partially oriented graphite foil, results in the co-presence of two ternary phases having out-of-plane (c-axis) identity periods of 11.5 and 9.1 Å. As we reported for the powdered sample prepared using a natural graphite source, these distances are associated with two tmeda orientations. The tmeda orientation had no significant effect on the in-plane lattice. The orientated texture of the sample gave in-plane (a-b plane) unit cell dimension, a = 4.3 Å, close to the √3a_o distance of the stage I C₆Li precursor unit cell and allowed changes in the in-plane packing to be detected by extending the reflux time of the reaction between C₆Li and tmeda or by using the stage II binary C₁₂Li as the precursor. An expansion of the in-plane lattice spacing to 4.6 Å occurred for part of the sample. The ideal stoichiometry of the unexpanded ternary compound based on the unit cell volume and having the maximum number of tmeda molecules within the P6/mmm unit cell was estimated to be C₆Li (tmeda)₁. However, a structure factor analysis indicated that tmeda occupancy within the unit cell is fractional.     

Metal binding properties of poly[N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine methacrylate]

Summary When incorporated into a polymer hydrogel, the metal chelator, N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethylenediamine (THPED), retains its metal binding properties. The resultant poly(THPED methacrylate) homopolymer is a polybase with displacement binding constants for copper (II) and zinc(II) of-3.11 and-6.55, respectively, as compared to values for THPED of-3.83 and-7.44. The chelating capacity of the polymer for various divalent metal ions at pH 5.5 follows the order Cu>Cd>Co>Zn>Mn, while calcium and magnesium do not bind. Metal ion release curves indicate that after 30 hours, Cd(II), Co(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II) are released at a slow, steady rate, while Cu(II) is not released under experimental conditions.     

Electrochemical study of the stability of the electron-donor—acceptor (EDA) complex between N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylendiamine and m-dinitrobenzene in acetonitrile

The stability constant of the EDA complex between N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-p-phenylendiamine and m-dinitrobenzene in acetonitrile has been studied by cyclic voltammetry and potentiometric titration at constant finite current. For comparison, spectral measurements were made. The spectroscopic techniques allowed us to assume the formation of a 1:1 EDA complex of which stability in acetonitrile is lower than that previously reported in chloroform. This solvent effect is expected for such weak complexes. The electrochemical techniques give a higher value of the stability constant in similar conditions. The possible causes of the discrepancies are discussed. However, the enthalpy and entropy values for the process closely agree in both electrochemical and spectroscopic methods. This is good evidence that both techniques are accounting for the same type of interaction. The electrochemical techniques, and particularly cyclic voltammetry, seem to be fast and sensible methods to study EDA complex interactions in polar aprotic solvents.     

Extraction Behavior of Actinides and Metal Ions by the Promising Extractant,N,N,N′,N′-Tetraoctyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (DOODA)

Abstract

The extraction of actinides, fission products, some non-nuclear elements, and nitric acid by N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (DOODA-C₈) in dodecane was extensively studied. Also studied was the extraction of HNO₃ and Nd(III) by the tetradodecyl analog of DOODA-C₈ in dodecane. Both extractants contain two ether oxygen atoms in the backbone chain carrying the two amide groups and can thus act as tetradentate ligands. The extractability of actinides decreases in the order Pu(IV) > U(VI), Am(III) > Np(V) in the extraction from nitric acid and Pu(IV) > Am(III) >> U(VI) in the extraction from perchloric acid. Ions of di-, tri-, tetra-, hexa-, and heptavalent metals strongly differ in the extractability by DOODA-C₈ but, except for lanthanides(III), there is no visible correlation of their distribution ratios with ionic radii. Due to the efficient extraction of actinides, weak extraction of fission products, and sufficient extraction capacity, DOODA-C₈ is a promising extractant for the recovery of minor actinides from high-level radioactive wastes.     

Metal complexes of an N,N′-diformylated 36-membered N8O4-oxaazamacrocycle

Dinuclear metal complexes of an N,N'-diformylated 36-membered N₈O₄-oxaazamacrocycle (L) have been synthesised and characterised. The structure of [Cd₂(L)(CH₃CN)₄](ClO₄)₄ has been determined.     

Copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate mediated by iron wire/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,2-ethanediamine as catalyst in the presence of air

Random copolymers of P(MMA-co-styrene) were synthesized via single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET LRP) at 25 °C in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and benzene using CCl₄ as initiator and Fe(0) wire/N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-1,2-ethanediamine (TMEDA)/hydrazine (NH₂NH₂) complexes as catalyst in the presence of air. Fe(0) wire-mediated single electron transfer-living radical copolymerization of MMA and styrene represented a robust and versatile technique to synthesize the well-defined copolymers. The copolymerization rate was faster in DMF than in benzene, as determined by the apparent rate constants. The results showed that the copolymerization followed first-order kinetics model in the presence of polar DMF and non-polar benzene. The molecular weights increased linearly with the increase of monomer conversion with a narrow polydispersity index when the conversion was beyond 25 %. The polarity and the quantity of solvent had significant effects on the polymerization, and the apparent rate constants were 1.28 × 10^?4, 1.21 × 10^?4, and 9.23 × 10^?5 s^?1 in the order of DMF amount, 5, 10, and 15 mL. The conversion increased from 29.3 to 48.5 % and the polydispersity index (PDI) changed from 1.24 to 1.21 with [CCl₄]₀/[TMEDA]₀ molar ratio changing from 1:0.5 to 1:5. The chain extension experiment demonstrated that the copolymerization exhibited a living characteristic.     

Effect of Anions on the Extraction of Lanthanides (III) by N,N′‐Dimethyl‐N,N′‐Diphenyl‐3‐Oxapentanediamide

Abstract

The extraction of microquantities of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y by N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐diphenyl‐3‐oxapentanediamide (DMDPhOPDA) in 1,2‐dichloroethane from aqueous media containing ClO₄ ^?, PF₆ ^?, (CF₃SO₂)₂N^? anions or by DMDPhOPDA in 1,2‐dichloroethane in the presence of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoremethyl)sulfonyl]imide ([C₄mim][Tf₂N]) and 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim][PF₆]) from HNO₃ solutions has been studied. The effect of HNO₃ concentration in the aqueous phase and that of the extractant concentration in the organic phase on the extraction of metal ions is considered. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes has been determined. The addition of HPF₆ and (CF₃SO₂)₂NH or their salts to the aqueous HNO₃ or HCl solutions leads to an enchancement of lanthanides (III) extraction by DMDPhOPDA. A considerable synergistic effect was observed in the presence of ionic liquids (IL) in the organic phase containing DMDPhOPDA. This effect is connected with the hydrophobic nature of the IL anion. The distribution of ILs between the equilibrium organic and aqueous phases can govern the extractability of lanthanides (III) in DMDPhOPDA‐IL systems.     

Dependence of water sorption-desorption characteristics of N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide and tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate-crosslinked polyacrylamides on crosslinking

Summary Hydrophilic monomers such as acrylamide (AA) when crosslinked with highly hydrophilic flexible tetraethyleneglycol diacrylate (TEGDA) and N,N-methylene-bis-acrylamide (NNMBA) of intermediate polarity and hydrophilicity provides highly water swellable hydrogels. These water-swellable but water insoluble macromolecules possess a number of physicochemical properties useful for applications in biomedical and other technological fields. This paper describes the swelling/deswelling characteristics and the ability for water retention of these polymers in different compositions. Water sorption in these crosslinked polyacrylamides is dependent on a number of variables of polymer synthesis.     

Influence of guests and protonation on the conformation of N,N′-dipyridyl-bis-aza-18-crown-6

Crystallisation of the sodium perchlorate adduct of N,N^′-dipyridyl-bis-aza-18-crown-6 from acidic aqueous conditions yielded [(H₃O)(N,N^′-dipyridyl-bis-aza-18-crown-6)][ClO₄] and [Na·N,N^′-dipyridyl-bis-aza-18-crown-6]₂ [(H⁺)₂N,N^′-dipyridyl-bis-aza-18-crown-6][ClO₄]₄·2H₂O. The conformations of crown ethers were significantly influenced by incorporation of an H₃O⁺ or sodium ion, or protonation of the amino nitrogen atoms resulting in three different structures for the macrocycle.     

Solvent Extraction Studies of Rare Earths from Thiocyanate Medium with N,N,N´,N´-tetra(2-ethylhexyl) diglycolamide

The extraction behavior of rare earth (RE) elements from thiocyanate medium by N,N,N^’,N^’-tetra(2-ethylhexyl) diglycolamide (TEHDGA), a neutral extractant, has been investigated and the optimum conditions for their separations were determined. Isodecyl alcohol was used as phase modifier and a concentration of 5%(v/v) was found sufficient to mitigate third phase formation under our experimental conditions. The extraction mechanism of RE with TEHDGA was established by analyzing distribution data with slope analysis technique and showed the formation of a neutral species, RE(SCN)₃.2TEHDGA, in the organic phase. The extraction of rare earth decreased with increase in temperature indicating exothermic nature and the enthalpy change (ΔH) obtained for Y(III) was ?14.27 kJ/mol. Among various stripping agents studied, oxalic acid was found to be efficient in quantitative stripping of rare earths from TEHDGA. The extraction efficiency for all the rare earths by TEHDGA was also investigated. High separation factor of 6.4 for Er/Y pair at 0.03 M thiocyanate has indicated the feasibility of using TEHDGA as extractant to separate Y from heavy rare earths, in particular Er, from thiocyanate medium.     

A Study of the γ-Radiolysis of N,N-Didodecyl-N′,N′-Dioctyldiglycolamide Using UHPLC-ESI-MS Analysis

Solutions of N,N-didodecyl-N′,N′-dioctyldiglycolamide in n-dodecane were subjected to γ-irradiation in the presence and absence of both an aqueous nitric acid phase and air sparging. The solutions were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS) to determine the rates of radiolytic decay of the extractant as well as to identify radiolysis products. The DGA concentration decreased exponentially with increasing dose, and the measured degradation rate constants were uninfluenced by the presence or absence of acidic aqueous phase, or by air sparging. The identified radiolysis products suggest that the bonds most vulnerable to radiolytic attack are those in the diglycolamide center of these molecules and not in the side chains.     

Design,Synthesis, Antifungal Activities and 3D-QSAR of New N,N′-Diacylhydrazines Containing 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Moiety

A series of new N,N′-diacylhydrazine derivatives were designed and synthesized. Their structures were verified by ¹H-NMR, mass spectra (MS) and elemental analysis. The antifungal activities of these N,N′-diacylhydrazines were evaluated. The bioassay results showed that most of these N,N′-diacylhydrazines showed excellent antifungal activities against Cladosporium cucumerinum, Corynespora cassiicola, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Erysiphe cichoracearum, and Colletotrichum orbiculare in vivo. The half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) of one of the compounds was also determined, and found to be comparable with a commercial drug. To further investigate the structure–activity relationship, comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) was performed on the basis of antifungal activity data. Both the steric and electronic field distributions of CoMFA are in good agreement in this study.