Di-[trioctyl-(8-phenyloctyl)-phosphonium] pamoate: synthesis and characterization of a novel, highly hydrophobic ionic liquid for the extraction of scandium, thorium and uranium
- Author(s)
- Andreas Gradwohl, Jakob Windisch, Alexander Rosner, Julia Heninger, Philipp L. Fuhrmann, Gabriele Wallner, Bernhard K. Keppler, Wolfgang Kandioller, Franz Jirsa
- Abstract
We synthesized and characterized a novel, task-specific ionic liquid for metal extraction with considerably reduced leaching behavior compared to similar, phosphonium-based ionic liquids. The synthesis involves the design of the novel compound [TOPP]2[PAM] featuring both a highly hydrophobic cation and a functional anion. The characterization of the novel ionic liquid confirmed the formation of the desired structure and sufficient purity. The high viscosity of [TOPP]2[PAM] is responsible for the comparably high working temperature of 50°C. Extraction experiments demonstrated the suitability of [TOPP]2[PAM] for extracting Sc, Th and U from aqueous matrices, whereby extraction efficacies of 87.3% ± 9.1% (Sc), 95.8% ± 2.3% (Th) and 92.7% ± 0.3% (U) were achieved over 24 h. Furthermore, Sc could be separated to a high degree via selective extraction from Th as well as from the rare earth elements Y, La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Ho and Lu. Th was separated from La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Ho and Lu at pH 1.00. During all extraction experiments, leaching into the aqueous extraction matrix peaked at only 0.134% ± 0.011% after 24 h. The loading capacities for [TOPP]2[PAM] differed between the investigated metals, the highest values being achieved for U. After extraction, 82.7% ± 2.8% of the extracted Sc could be recovered from the IL using nitric acid (10%), but less of Th and U.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry
- External organisation(s)
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Journal
- Frontiers in Chemistry
- Volume
- 12
- ISSN
- 2296-2646
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2024.1502232
- Publication date
- 2024
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 104003 Inorganic chemistry, 204001 Inorganic chemical technology
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Chemistry
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/b33b2b6e-c82d-4490-bb17-96b2f010f086