Selective extraction of Am(III) over Eu(III) by 2,6-ditriazolyl- and 2,6,-ditriazinylpyridines

Separation of actinides from high-level radioactive wastes and their subsequent transmutation to short-lived radionuclides can largely facilitate nuclear waste management. A partitioning process for actinide separation, most appropriately based on solvent extraction, must include the separation of Am and Cm from fission lanthanides. 2,6-Di(5-alkyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-pyridine and 2,6-di(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine type compounds extract Am(III) 2-bromohexanoate and nitrate from acidic solutions (≤1 M HNO3) with an appreciable efficiency and selectivity, yielding Am(III)/Eu(III) separation factors of ≤150