Cation-exchange separation of Group V elements: Model experiments on isolation and chemical identification of Db

Abstract

A cation-exchange procedure was developed for separating Nb from Ta, Pa from Ta, and Nb, Pa, and Ta from Zr, Hf, and lanthanides in dilute HC1/HF solutions. The stability of the fluoride complexes of Group IV and V elements decreases in the following order: Nb ∼ Pa > Zr > Hf > Ta. This procedure can be used in experiments on synthesis of superheavy nuclei for isolation of Db from the reaction products and for its chemical identification.