Lanthanide intra-series separation by a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative; Counterion effect

Simonnet, M.   ; Suzuki, Shinichi; Miyazaki, Yuji*; Kobayashi, Toru ; Yokoyama, Keiichi  ; Yaita, Tsuyoshi

Separation of lanthanides is especially challenging because of their chemical similarities. Therefore, improving the separation process is essential. In this work, we present the effect of the counterion nature on the lanthanide extraction by a 1,10-phenanthroline derivative, the -octyl--tolyl-1,10-phenanthroline-2-carboxamide. Modification of the counterion yields a drastic change in selectivity, with a shift in the maximum of extraction from the light lanthanides (Pr, Nd, Sm) in nitrate system to the heavy lanthanides (Dy, Ho) in perchlorate system. Other salts (NaCl, NaNO) showed a gradual increase in extraction along the whole lanthanide series, or no effect (NaSO). The difference was explained by different coordination in the organic phase. The reversed behaviour depending on the anion is especially interesting because a cycling extraction/back-extraction of light lanthanides in nitrate/chloride media or a cycling extraction/back-extraction of heavy lanthanides in perchlorate/nitrate media can enhance the separation factors of respectively Nd and Dy/Ho.