Solid-phase extraction of technetium-amine complexes onto C18 silica and its application to the isolation of 99Tc

The extraction of Tc-tripentylamine complexes onto C-18 silica solid-phase extraction columns is evaluated for the selective removal of Tc-99 from other isotopes. The Tc-amine complex-is quantitatively extracted from sulfuric acid and can be recovered from the column by elution with dilute alkali. A clean separation of Tc from all likely contaminants, including Ru, is achieved showing that C-18 silica solid-phase extraction columns are a viable and attractive alternative to the solvent extraction of Tc-99.