The extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by a novel unsymmetrical diglycolamide

N,N '-dioctyl-N,N '-di-dodecyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide ((DdO)(2)DGA) is a novel unsymmetrical diglycolamide. Herein, we analyzed the third phase formation and extraction behavior of trivalent actinides and lanthanides with (DdO)(2)DGA in kerosene. Moreover, FT-IR and UV/Vis spectra of the extracted phase of Nd(III) with (DdO)(2)DGA were analyzed. The third phase is not formed by the extraction of Nd(III) with 0.10 mol/L (DdO)(2)DGA at 298 K. The metal ion distribution ratios increase with increased acidity and extractant concentration. Moreover, thermodynamic analysis demonstrates that the extraction is an exothermic reaction with Delta H = - 64.94 kJ/mol and Delta S = - 144.42 J/(mol center dot K). Both slope and spectroscopic analysis suggest that the extracted species is Nd(NO3)(3)center dot 3(DdO)(2)DGA and the change in the acidity or extractant concentration will not change the extracted species.