The extraction of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by a novel unsymmetrical diglycolamide.

N,N′-dioctyl-N,N′-di-dodecyl-3-oxapentane-1,5-diamide ((DdO)2DGA) is a novel unsymmetrical diglycolamide. Herein, we analyzed the third phase formation and extraction behavior of trivalent actinides and lanthanides with (DdO)2DGA in kerosene. Moreover, FT-IR and UV/Vis spectra of the extracted phase of Nd(III) with (DdO)2DGA were analyzed. The third phase is not formed by the extraction of Nd(III) with 0.10 mol/L (DdO)2DGA at 298 K. The metal ion distribution ratios increase with increased acidity and extractant concentration. Moreover, thermodynamic analysis demonstrates that the extraction is an exothermic reaction with ΔH = − 64.94 kJ/mol and ΔS = − 144.42 J/(mol·K). Both slope and spectroscopic analysis suggest that the extracted species is Nd(NO3)3·3(DdO)2DGA and the change in the acidity or extractant concentration will not change the extracted species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]