Synthesis of N,N′-Dimethyl-N,N′-Dioctyl-3-Oxadiglycolamide and its Extraction Properties for Lanthanides

Abstract

Tetraalkyl-3-oxadiglycolamides show good prospects in nuclear reprocessing because of their complete incinerability. In addition, their degradation products interfere much less in the separation process when compared with organophosphorus extractants. An asymmetric extractant, N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-dioctyl-3-oxadiglycolamide, has been synthesized by a five-step process. The compound was applied to the extraction of selected lanthanides from nitric acid solutions using chloroform as diluent. Its extraction properties for lanthanides from nitrate media have been described. The distribution ratio of the selected metal ions has been studied as a function of aqueous HNO₃ concentrations, diglycolamide concentration and temperature.

Keywords:

• Synthesis
• N
• N′-dimethyl-N
• N′-dioctyl-3-oxadiglycolamide
• extraction
• lanthanide

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful for the support from the National Nature Science Foundation of China (20301008), Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Y2008B41), and Key Subject Research Foundation of Shandong Province (XTD0704).