Synthesis and uses of the amides extractants

Carboxylic acids amides (RR'NCOCR''), malonic acid amides (RR'NCOCH2CONRR') and substituted malonic acid amides (RR'NCOCHR'' CONRR') are extractants of the actinides ions. They show good prospects for use in the nuclear industry because of their complete incinerability. In addition, their degradation products interfer much more less in the separation processes when compared with organophosphorus extractants. The synthesis and the purification of two typical extractants: N-N-di (2-ethylhexyl) butyramide (C4H9CHC2H5CH2)2NCOC3H7 and N,N'-dimethyl N,N'-dibutyl 1.3 diamide 2(3-oxa)nonyl propane (C4H9CH3NCO)2CHC2H4OC6H13 are described. The purities, checked by NMR, elemental analysis and potentiometry, were in the range 98 to 99.5%. The yields for monoamides were in the range 70 to 90% and for the diamides 20 to 40%. 3 figs, 3 tabs, 10 refs