EXTRACTION OF AM(III) AND EU(III) FROM NITRATE MEDIUM BY THENOYLTRIFLUOROACETONE MIXED WITH SOME SOFT DONOR LIGANDS

The extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) was investigated from nitrate medium by mixtures of thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) with the soft donor ligands triphenylamine, (Ph3N), triphenylarsine, (Ph3As), or triphenylphosphine, (Ph3P). Enhancement of the extraction of both metal ions vas observed for HTTA mixed with either Ph3As or Ph3P. For the two cations investigated, Ph3P shoved a greater synergic effect than Ph3As. It vas found that the chemical formula of the main extracted species is M(OH) (TTA)2 HTTA.L for extraction by HTTA mixed with either ligand (L). No specific preference for the synergic extraction of Am(III) over Eu(III) vas observed. For the two systems investigated, the mixed formation constant, beta311, for Eu(III) vas found to be always higher than that for Am(III).