Preparation, structural characterization, and evaluation of ion-exchange behavior of a new polyoxometalate, [Me₂NH₂]₃[Mo₁₂O₄₀S] in separation of carrier-free ⁹⁰Y from ⁹⁰Sr

A new ion-exchanger having chemical formula [Me₂NH₂]₃[Mo₁₂O₄₀S] and belonging to the class of Keggin type polyoxometalate was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determination. The crystal of the exchanger is rhombohedral, space group R-3 with cell dimensions, a =16.504(18) Å, b =16.504(18)Å (1) Å, c =25.23(3)Å and α=90.00°, β=90.00°, γ=120.00° and Z =6, 3.284 g cm⁻³. The compound behaves as an ion-exchanger and it is significantly stable towards thermal, chemical environments and total radiation dose of 35.0 kGy. Radiochemical separation of the short-lived daughter carrier-free ⁹°Y (T_1/2 =64.08 h) from its long-lived parent ⁹⁰Sr (T_1/2 =29 a) using this material at pH 6.0 with 1.0% EDTA solution as an eluent. - Highlights: ●Synthesis and characterization of a new polyoxometalate, [Me₂NH₂]3[Mo₁₂O₄₀S]. ●The detailed structure of the exchanger by single crystal x-ray crystallography. ●Study of ion exchange capacity (IEC) of the exchanger towards different metal ions. ●Ability of separation of carrier-free 90Y from 90Sr in column chromatographic technique at pH = 6.0. ●The material is inexpensive, low cost and easy to synthesize following eco-friendly procedure.