Separation of Mo(VI) from U(VI) and other fission elements in synthetic solutions by di-quinolinol chelating ligand in [C4mim][NTf2] ionic liquid

• Published in: Hydrometallurgy 2023-01, Vol.215, p.105968, Article 105968
• Main Authors: Guo, Zong, Chu, Taiwei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: di-quinolinol chelating ligand; Extraction; Ionic liquid; Molybdenum; Uranium
• ISSN: 0304-386X; 1879-1158
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2022.105968

Efficient separation and purification processes of the medical isotope 99Mo are required for the development of radiopharmaceuticals. In this work, the di-quinolinol chelating ligand 2,2′-((octylazanediyl)bis(methylene))bis(quinolin-8-ol) (Lquin) in [C4mim][NTf2] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, IL) ionic liquid was used to selectively extract Mo(VI) from nitric acid solutions containing U(VI), Cs(I), Ru(III), Ce(III), Te(IV) and I−1. The Lquin/IL met the requirements of irradiation stability, and the ligand could be recycled >4 times after stripping and washing. By simulating the entire process, using silica gel to selectively adsorb Zr(VI) followed by extraction with the ionic liquid and stripping with ammonium carbonate, Mo(VI) with high chemical purity (>99.8%) could be obtained within 2 h, with a final yield of 85.0%. Taken together, the present system has potential to be applied for the separation of radioactive Mo(VI) from nitric acid solutions containing U(VI) and fission elements, such as Zr(IV), Cs(I), Ru(III), Ce(III), Te(IV) and I−1. [Display omitted] •A novel di-quinolinol extractant effective for Mo(VI) was synthesized.•Ionic liquids allowed better extraction of Mo(VI) than CCl4 without precipitation.•A separation process of Mo(VI) from synthetic uranium target solution was proposed.