Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide and tris (2-ethylhexyl) phosphine oxide complexes of uranyl nitrate

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston UniversityDue to the necessity of recovering uranium from reactor fuels, a number of separation methods have been investigated in recent years. Of these, the method of solvent extraction has proved to be a practical one. Long chain symmetrical phosphine oxides have been shown to extract uranium and a number of other metals under different conditions. It was the object of the present investigation to establish the nature of the species resulting from uranyl nitrate-R3Po (R =alkyl group) interaction. The two phosphine oxides selected for the study were: (i) Tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and (ii) Tris(2-ethylhexyl)phosphine oxide (TEHPO). An attempt was made to obtain pure TEHPO. Though the attempt has not met with complete success, yet significant conclusions concerning the stoichiometry and relative stability of the uranyl nitrate-TEHPO complex could be drawn. [TRUNCATED