Synergistic solvent extraction of Eu, Sr and Cs into chlorobenzene solutions of the three conformers of tetrathiocalixarene and dicarbollide

Abstract

Solvent extraction of several long-lived fission products from diluted nitric acid in pronounced synergistic systems involving dicarbollide and conformers of a specific thiacalix[n]arene were investigated using mainly chlorobenzene as the diluent. The following factors were experimentally investigated: molar ratio of the two extractants, total extractants concentration, aqueous acidity, nature of the mineral acid used, relative phase volumes, repeated extractions and metal concentration. Data are given on the rather slow kinetics of extraction and stripping, limited chemical stability of the extractants, selectivity and interference of foreign metals. The three different conformers of the basic compound with identical chemical composition exhibit very differing extraction properties. The plots of distribution ratios of all metals tested versus the varying concentration of one extractant keeping the concentration of the other extractant constant invariably exhibit maxima, interpreted as the result of an existence of several extracted species in the extract. Suggestions are given concerning possible practical applications of two of the conformers studied.