Novel separation system of trivalent actinides-combined effects of substituted tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand and hydrophobic counter-anion

Stereochemical substitution on tripod ligand significantly offered efficient separation of trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides. Liquid-liquid extraction using chiral tris(2-pyridyl-methyl)amine ligands as an extractant exhibited high efficiency and selectivity for trivalent actinides. A combination of chiral ligand and 2-bromodecanoic acid further enhanced extraction performance for trivalent actinides.