Extraction of lanthanides using 1-hydroxy-6-N-octylcarboxamido-2(1H)-pyridinone as an extractant via competitive ligand complexations between aqueous and organic phases†
Abstract
The ability to selectively extract lanthanides is crucial in hydrometallurgy and the nuclear fuel cycle. The capabilities of 1-hydroxy-6-N-octylcarboxamido-2(1H)-pyridinone (octyl-HOPO) as an extractant for the separation of lanthanides and actinides were studied for the first time. Octyl-HOPO greatly outperformed the traditional ligand di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (DEHPA).