Continuous extraction and separation of Am(III) and Cm(III) using a highly practical alkyl diamide amine ligand

Suzuki, Hideya; Tsubata, Yasuhiro   ; Kurosawa, Tatsuya; Sagawa, Hiroshi; Matsumura, Tatsuro  

Alkyl diamide amine (ADAAM), a highly practical reagent with a simple structure, was evaluated for the separation of Am(III) and Cm(III). ADAAM is a multidentate ligand comprising one soft N-donor atom and two hard O-donor atoms as part of its central frame. This tridentate set of donor atoms provide selective binding for Am(III) and Cm(III) in highly acidic media and yield separation factors of up to 5.5. A continuous liquid-liquid extraction and stripping process were performed using ADAAM in n-dodecane as the extractant in a multistage countercurrent mixer-settler extractor. Separation of Am(III) and Cm(III) in very high yield was demonstrated.