Evaluation of selectivity and radiolysis behavior of some promising isonicotinamids and dipicolinamides as extractants

A series of long chain isonicotinamides (pyridine-4-carboxamides) and dipicolinamides (pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides) have been prepared with different substituting groups and the extracting ability for Fe(III), Am(III), Eu(III), Sr(II), Co(II) and Cs(I) from nitric acid solutions has been studied. Distribution ratios of Fe(III) as function of nitric acid concentration, extractants concentration and salting-out agent have been measured by usingN,N′-dioctylisonicotinamide (DOINA) andN,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyldipicolinamide (TODPA) which were chosen for further studies. Irradiation of DOINA and TOBPA by different gamma doses showed a different extraction behavior for Fe(III). The radiolytic degradation of the investigated amides has been estimated by quantitive IR spectroscopy. The results indicated that the radiolytic stability is influenced by the structure of the investigated amides. Symmetrical isonicotinamides or dipicolinamide seems to be less affected by radiation compared with unsymmetrical isonicotiniamides or dipicolinamides. The extraction of iron from aqueous solutions with the investigated extractants is fast. Separation of iron(III) based on kinetic basis was carried out.