An additional insight into the correlation between the distribution ratios and the aqueous acidity of the TODGA system

Extraction of Eu(III) and Am(III) from HNO3 into the organic solvents using N, N, N', N'-tetraoctyl-diglycolamide (TODGA) was investigated in order to study the detailed extraction reaction. The chemical species: 1:2 for metal: TODGA complex is present in polar diluents. On the other hand, the metal complexes need three or more TODGA molecules to remain stable in non-polar diluents. The HNO3 concentration dependence on the distribution ratio suggests that HNO3 participates in the metal extraction. Infrared spectra indicate that the carbonyl oxygen coordinates with Eu(III), and luminescence lifetimes suggest that there are no water molecules in the inner coordination sphere of the extracted Eu-complex.