Theoretical Insights into the Substitution Effect of Phenanthroline Derivatives on Am(III)/Eu(III) Separation

Separation of trivalent actinides (An(III)) and lanthanides (Ln(III)) poses a huge challenge in the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel due to their similar chemical properties. N,N'-Diethyl-N,N'-ditolyl-2,9-diamide-1,10-phenanthroline (Et-Tol-DAPhen) is a potential ligand for the extraction of An(III) from Ln(III), while there are still few reports on the effect of its substituent including electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups on An(III)/Ln(III) separation. Herein, the interaction of Et-Tol-DAPhen ligands modified by the electron-withdrawing groups (CF₃, Br) and electron-donating groups (OH) with Am(III)/Eu(III) ions was investigated using scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT). The analyses of bond order, quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and molecular orbital (MO) indicate that the substitution groups have a slight effect on the electronic structures of the [M(L-X)(NO₃)₃] (X = CF₃, Br, OH) complexes. However, the thermodynamic results suggest that a ligand with the electron-donating group (L-OH) improves the extraction ability of metal ions, and the ligand modified by the electron-withdrawing group (L-Br) has the best Am(III)/Eu(III) selectivity. This work could render new insights into understanding the effect of electron-withdrawing and electron-donating groups in tuning the selectivity of Et-Tol-DAPhen derivatives and pave the way for designing new ligands modified by substituted groups with better extraction ability and An(III)/Ln(III) selectivity.

Advancing the Am Extractant Design through the Interplay among Planarity, Preorganization, and Substitution Effects

Advancing the field of chemical separations is important for nearly every area of science and technology. Some of the most challenging separations are associated with the americium ion Am(III) for its extraction in the nuclear fuel cycle, ²⁴¹Am production for industrial usage, and environmental cleanup efforts. Herein, we study a series of extractants, using first-principle calculations, to identify the electronic properties that preferentially influence Am(III) binding in separations. As the most used extractant family and because it affords a high degree of functionalization, the polypyridyl family of extractants is chosen to study the effects of the planarity of the structure, preorganization of coordinating atoms, and substitution of various functional groups. The actinyl ions are used as a structurally simplified surrogate model to quickly screen the most promising candidates that can separate these metal ions. The down-selected extractants are then tested for the Am(III)/Eu(III) system. Our results show that π interactions, especially those between the central terpyridine ring and Am(III), play a crucial role in separation. Adding an electron-donating group onto the terpyridine backbone increases the binding energies to Am(III) and stabilizes Am-terpyridine coordination. Increasing the planarity of the extractant increases the binding strength as well, although this effect is found to be rather weak. Preorganizing the coordinating atoms of an extractant to their binding configuration as in the bound metal complex speeds up the binding process and significantly improves the kinetics of the separation process. This conclusion is validated by the synthesized 1,2-dihydrodipyrido[4,3-b;5,6-b]acridine (13) extractant, a preorganized derivative of the terpyridine extractant, which we experimentally showed was four times more effective than terpyridine at separating Am³⁺ from Eu³⁺ (SF_Am/Eu ∼ 23 ± 1).

Opportunities and challenges of applying advanced X-ray spectroscopy to actinide and lanthanide N-donor ligand systems

N-donor ligands such as n-Pr-BTP [2,6-bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine] preferentially bind trivalent actinides (An3+) over trivalent lanthanides (Ln3+) in liquid-liquid separation. However, the chemical and physical processes responsible for this selectivity are not yet well understood. Here, an explorative comparative X-ray spectroscopy and computational (L3-edge) study for the An/Ln L3-edge and the N K-edge of [An/Ln(n-Pr-BTP)3](NO3)3, [Ln(n-Pr-BTP)3](CF3SO3)3 and [Ln(n-Pr-BTP)3](ClO4)3 complexes is presented. High-resolution X-ray absorption near-edge structure (HR-XANES) L3-edge data reveal additional features in the pre- and post-edge range of the spectra that are investigated using the quantum chemical codes FEFF and FDMNES. X-ray Raman spectroscopy studies demonstrate the applicability of this novel technique for investigations of liquid samples of partitioning systems at the N K-edge.

Tailoring the selectivity of phenanthroline derivatives for the partitioning of trivalent Am/Eu ions – a relativistic DFT study

Preferential binding of actinides over lanthanides using tailored phenanthroline derivative ligands through relativistic DFT calculations.

Simultaneous separation of Am and Cm from Nd and Sm by multi-step extraction using the TODGA-DTPA-BA-HNO3 system

The simultaneous separation of Am and Cm from lanthanides is important for atomic energy fields. However, the process is difficult owing to the chemical behavior of trivalent metal ions with similar ionic radii. All lanthanides, Am, and Cm can be extracted by diglycolamide (DGA). In addition, relatively high separation factors between An and Ln were obtained by the extraction system of TODGA, DTPA (diethylenetriamine-N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentaacetic acid) and HNO3. In this work, DTPA-BA (diethylenetriamine-N,N′,N″-triacetic-N,N″-bisamide), which is an improved version of DTPA, was employed for the separation of Ln and An. After performing a basic study on DTPA-BA, a relatively high separation factor (approximately 8) for actinides/lanthanides was obtained. Then, the multi-step extraction was performed. Thus, the recoveries of 94.7 % for Nd and 4.7 % for Am and Cm in organic phase, and 5.3 % Nd and 95.3 % for Am and Cm in aqueous phase were obtained.

Theoretical Insights into Modification of Nitrogen-Donor Ligands to Improve Performance on Am(III)/Eu(III) Separation

Nitrogen-donor ligands have been considered to be promising agents for separating trivalent actinides (An(III)) from lanthanides (Ln(III)). Thereinto, how to decorate these ligands for better extraction performance is urgent to design "perfect" separating extractants. In this work, we systematically explored a series of heterocyclic N-donor ligands (L¹ = dipyridazino[4,3-c:3',4'-h]acridine, L² = dipyridazino[3,4-a:4',3'-j]phenazine, L³ = 2,6-di(cinnolin-3-yl)pyridine)), as well as their substituted derivatives, and compared their extraction and complexation ability toward An(III) and Ln(III) ions by using quasi-relativistic density functional theory (DFT). We found that the pyridazine N atoms probably play a notable role in electron donation to metal cations by molecular orbital (MO) and bond order analyses. Besides, the calculated results clearly verified that these N-donor ligands possess higher coordination affinity toward Am(III) over Eu(III). The rigid ligands (L¹ and L²) exhibit higher selective abilities for the Am(III)/Eu(III) separation compared with that of the flexible ligand (L³). For each ligand, the 1:2 (metal/ligand) extraction reaction is predicted to be most probable in the separation process. The introduction of an alkyl group on the lateral chain or an electron-donating group on the main chain gives rise to a better extraction performance of the ligands, and the CyMe4 or MeO substituted ligands show higher extraction and separation ability. Simultaneous introduction of CyMe4 and MeO groups can enhance the extraction ability of the ligand to metal ions, but the separating ability depends on the differences of the extraction capacity of An(III) and Ln(III). This work can help to gain a more in-depth understanding the selectivity differences of similar N-donor ligands and provide more theoretical insights into the design of novel extractants for An(III)/Ln(III) separation.

Key Factors Determining Efficiency of Liquid-Liquid Extraction: Implications from Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Biphasic Behaviors of CyMe4-BTPhen and Its Am(III) Complexes

CyMe₄-BTPhen (2,9-bis(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline, denoted as L) has been considered as a promising extractant in lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) separation. Vast endeavors in its application put forward a compelling need on the understanding of the underlying mechanism in the liquid-liquid extraction. To address the issue of its dynamics in biphasic systems, we carried out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of L and its complexes with a heavy f-block metal ion, americium(III) (Am³⁺) in "oil"/water binary solvents. Two types of organic phases have been considered, differing in the presence of octanol in the bulk n-dodecane or not, and the distribution of the solutes and their interfacial behaviors have been investigated. Two of the key factors that determine the efficiency of a liquid-liquid extraction protocol were delineated and discussed, that is, the appropriate ligand to enhance the lipophilicity of AmL complexes and appropriate way to form ion pairs to minimize the attraction between the complexes and aqueous phase. The simulations showed that the charge states of both ligand and AmL complexes were strongly correlated with their phase behavior, and the migration of neutral species was driven by van der Waals interactions while that of charged species by electrostatic interactions, indicating stronger lipophilicity of the former than the latter. The presence of octanol facilitated the migration of the ligand from the interface to the organic phase via hydrogen bond between its polar head and the ligand or the AmL complexes and constituted a polar core in the organic phase. This work bridged the widely used liquid-liquid extraction technique in chemistry to a fundamental chemical concept, that is, minimization of hydrophilicity and maximization of lipophilicity to facilitate phase transfer from the aqueous phase to the organic phase, and is expected to improve the understanding of dynamics of ligands and their complexes with metal ions and to contribute to the development of efficient protocols for phase transfer of target species.

Activation of the Aromatic Core of 3,3'-(Pyridine-2,6-diylbis(1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,1-diyl))bis(propan-1-ol)-Effects on Extraction Performance, Stability Constants, and Basicity

The "CHON" compatible water-soluble ligand 3,3'-(pyridine-2,6-diylbis(1H-1,2,3-triazole-4,1-diyl))bis(propan-1-ol) (PTD) has shown promise for selectively stripping actinide ions from an organic phase containing both actinide and lanthanide ions, by preferential complexation of the former. Aiming at improving its complexation properties, PTD-OMe was synthesized, bearing a methoxy group on the central pyridine ring, thus increasing its basicity and hence complexation strength. Unfortunately, solvent extraction experiments in the range of 0.1-1 mol/L nitric acid proved PTD-OMe to be less efficient than PTD. This behavior is explained by its greater pK_a value (pK_a = 2.54) compared to PTD (pK_a = 2.1). This counteracts its improved complexation properties for Cm(III) (log β₃(PTD-OMe) = 10.8 ± 0.4 versus log β₃(PTD) = 9.9 ± 0.5).

Comparative Study of Complexes of Rare Earths and Actinides with 2,6-Bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine

Complexes of group III metals (rare earth and actinides) with 2,6-bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (BTP) have been investigated by computational (DFT) and, in limited cases, by experimental (FT-IR, X-ray) techniques with the goal of determining the characteristics of metal–ligand interactions. The DFT calculations using the M062X exchange-correlation functional revealed that metal–ligand distances correlate with the ionic radii of the metals, in agreement with available X-ray diffraction results on the Sc, Y, La, U, and Pu complexes. A related blue-shift trend could be observed in seven characteristic bands in the IR spectra associated with metal–ligand vibrations. The computations uncovered considerable charge transfer interactions, particularly in the actinide complexes, as important covalent contributions to the metal–ligand bonding. The covalent character of the metal–ligand bonds decreases in the actinides, from U to Cm.

Unusual complexation behaviors of R-BTPs with water molecule and Pd(ii) caused by electronic modulation of substituents on BTP backbone: new insights into palladium separation under the framework of minor actinides’ partitioning

A 1 : 1 solid palladium complex with any tridentate bis-triazine ligand has been isolated and structurally characterized for the first time.

Extraction performance of Eu3+ by using heterocyclic N-donor ligands with different structures in ionic liquids: an experimental and theoretical study

Extraction performance of Eu³⁺ has been studied for heterocyclic N-donor ligands with different structures in [C₂mim][NTf₂] as a diluent.

Enhanced free energy of extraction of Eu3+ and Am3+ ions towards diglycolamide appended calix[4]arene: insights from DFT-D3 and COSMO-RS solvation models

Density functional theory in conjunction with COSMO and COSMO-RS solvation models employing dispersion correction (DFT-D3) has been applied to gain an insight into the complexation of Eu³⁺/Am³⁺ with diglycolamide (DGA) and calix[4]arene appended diglycolamide (CAL4DGA) in ionic liquids by studying structures, energetics, thermodynamics and population analysis. The calculated Gibbs free energy for both Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ ions with DGA was found to be smaller than that with CAL4DGA. The entropy of complexation was also found to be reduced to a large extent with DGA compared to complexation with CAL4DGA. The solution phase free energy was found to be negative and was higher for Eu³⁺ ion. The entropy of complexation was not only found to be further reduced but also became negative in the case of DGA alone. Though the entropy was found to be negative it could not outweigh the high negative enthalpic contribution. The same trend was observed in the solution where the free energy of extraction, ΔG, for Eu³⁺ ions was shown to be higher than that for Am³⁺ ions towards free DGA. But the values of ΔG and ΔΔG(= ΔG_Eu-ΔG_Am) were found to be much higher with CAL4DGA (-12.58 kcal mol^-1) in the presence of nitrate ions compared to DGA (-1.69 kcal mol^-1) due to enhanced electronic interaction and positive entropic contribution. Furthermore, both the COSMO and COSMO-RS models predict very close values of ΔΔΔG (= ΔΔG_CAL4DGA - ΔΔG_nDGA), indicating that both solvation models could be applied for evaluating the metal ion selectivity. The value of the reaction free energy was found to be higher after dispersion correction. The charge on the Eu and Am atoms for the complexes with DGA and CAL4DGA indicates the charge-dipole type interaction leading to strong binding energy. The present theoretical results support the experimental findings and thus might be of importance in the design of functionalized ligands.

Theoretical prediction of Am(iii)/Eu(iii) selectivity to aid the design of actinide-lanthanide separation agents

Selective extraction of minor actinides from lanthanides is a critical step in the reduction of radiotoxicity of spent nuclear fuels. However, the design of suitable ligands for separating chemically similar 4f- and 5f-block trivalent metal ions poses a significant challenge. First-principles calculations should play an important role in the design of new separation agents, but their ability to predict metal ion selectivity has not been systematically evaluated. In this work, we examine the ability of several density functional theory methods to predict selectivity of Am(iii) and Eu(iii) with oxygen, mixed oxygen-nitrogen, and sulfur donor ligands. The results establish a computational method capable of predicting the correct order of selectivities obtained from liquid-liquid extraction and aqueous phase complexation studies. To allow reasonably accurate predictions, it was critical to employ sufficiently flexible basis sets and provide proper account of solvation effects. The approach is utilized to estimate the selectivity of novel amide-functionalized diazine and 1,2,3-triazole ligands.

The strength of actinide-element bonds from the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules

[AnX(3)](2)(μ-η(2):η(2)-N(2)) (An = Th-Pu; X = F, Cl, Br, Me, H, OPh) have been studied using relativistic density functional theory. Geometric and vibrational data suggest that metal→N(2) charge transfer maximises at the protactinium systems, which feature the longest N-N bonds and the smallest σ(N-N), as a result of partial population of the N-N π* orbitals. There is very strong correlation of the standard quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) metrics - bond critical point ρ, ∇(2)ρ and H and delocalisation indices - with An-N and N-N bond lengths and σ(N-N), but the correlation with An-N interaction energies is very poor. A similar situation exists for the other systems studied; neutral and cationic actinide monoxide and dioxides, and AnL(3+) and AnL(3)(3+) (L = pyridine (Py), pyrazine (Pz) and triazine (Tz)) with the exception of some of the ∇(2)ρ data, for which moderate to good correlations with energy data are sometimes seen. By contrast, in almost all cases there is very strong correlation of interaction and bond energies with |ΔQ(QTAIM)(An)|, a simple QTAIM metric which measures the amount of charge transferred to or from the actinide on compound formation.

Effective Am(iii)/Eu(iii) separations using 2,6-bis(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (BTP) functionalised titania particles and hierarchically porous beads

Titania particles and beads functionalised with a modified BTP ligand have been used to selectively extract Am(iii) over Eu(iii) from 0.01 M nitric acid solutions.

Computational thermodynamic study on the complexes of Am(iii) with tridentate N-donor ligands

BTP differs from hemi-BTP and TPY in its conformational preference, which may contribute to its higher efficiency in extracting Am(iii).

Complexation of lanthanides, actinides and transition metal cations with a 6-(1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine ligand: implications for actinide(III)/lanthanide(III) partitioning

The quadridentate N-heterocyclic ligand 6-(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,2,4-benzotriazin-3-yl)-2,2' : 6',2''-terpyridine (CyMe(4)-hemi-BTBP) has been synthesized and its interactions with Am(III), U(VI), Ln(III) and some transition metal cations have been evaluated by X-ray crystallographic analysis, Am(III)/Eu(III) solvent extraction experiments, UV absorption spectrophotometry, NMR studies and ESI-MS. Structures of 1:1 complexes with Eu(III), Ce(III) and the linear uranyl (UO(2)(2+)) ion were obtained by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and they showed similar coordination behavior to related BTBP complexes. In methanol, the stability constants of the Ln(III) complexes are slightly lower than those of the analogous quadridentate bis-triazine BTBP ligands, while the stability constant for the Yb(III) complex is higher. (1)H NMR titrations and ESI-MS with lanthanide nitrates showed that the ligand forms only 1:1 complexes with Eu(III), Ce(III) and Yb(III), while both 1:1 and 1:2 complexes were formed with La(III) and Y(III) in acetonitrile. A mixture of isomeric chiral 2:2 helical complexes was formed with Cu(I), with a slight preference (1.4:1) for a single directional isomer. In contrast, a 1:1 complex was observed with the larger Ag(I) ion. The ligand was unable to extract Am(III) or Eu(III) from nitric acid solutions into 1-octanol, except in the presence of a synergist at low acidity. The results show that the presence of two outer 1,2,4-triazine rings is required for the efficient extraction and separation of An(III) from Ln(III) by quadridentate N-donor ligands.

Does covalency increase or decrease across the actinide series? Implications for minor actinide partitioning

A covalent chemical bond carries the connotation of overlap of atomic orbitals between bonded atoms, leading to a buildup of the electron density in the internuclear region. Stabilization of the valence 5f orbitals as the actinide series is crossed leads, in compounds of the minor actinides americium and curium, to their becoming approximately degenerate with the highest occupied ligand levels and hence to the unusual situation in which the resultant valence molecular orbitals have significant contributions from both actinide and the ligand yet in which there is little atomic orbital overlap. In such cases, the traditional quantum-chemical tools for assessing the covalency, e.g., population analysis and spin densities, predict significant metal-ligand covalency, although whether this orbital mixing is really covalency in the generally accepted chemical view is an interesting question. This review discusses our recent analyses of the bonding in AnCp3 and AnCp4 (An = Th-Cm; Cp = η(5)-C5H5) using both the traditional tools and also topological analysis of the electron density via the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules. I will show that the two approaches yield rather different conclusions and suggest that care must be taken when using quantum chemistry to assess metal-ligand covalency in this part of the periodic table. The implications of this work for minor actinide partitioning from nuclear wastes are discussed; minor actinide extractant ligands based on nitrogen donors have received much attention in recent years, as have comparisons of the extent of covalency in actinide-nitrogen bonding with that in analogous lanthanide systems via quantum-chemical studies employing the traditional tools for assessing the covalency.