Studies on mixed ligand complexes of samarium(III), europium(III) and dysprosium(III) with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol and trioctylphosphine oxide

Abstract

The extraction behavior of Sm(III), Eu(III) and Dy(III) with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol (HA) and trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) from aqueous NaClO4 solutions in the pH range 4–9 at 0.1M ionic strength has been studied. The equilibrium concentrations of Sm and Dy were measured using their short-lived neutron activation products,155Sm and165mDy, respectively. In the case of Eu, the concentrations were assayed through the152,154Eu radiotracer. The distribution ratios of these elements were determined as a function of pH, 1-nitroso-2-naphthol and TOPO concentrations. The extractions of Sm, Eu and Dy were found to be quantitative with MIBK solutions in the pH range 5.9–7.5, 5.6–7.5 and 5.8–7.5, respectively. Quantitative extraction of Eu was also obtained between pH 5.8 and 8.8 with chloroform solutions. The results show that these lanthanides (Ln) are extracted as LnA3 chelates with 1-nitroso-2-naphthol alone, and in the presence of TOPO as LnA3(TOPO) and LnA3(TOPO)2 adducts. The extraction constants and the adduct formation constants of these complexes have been calculated.