Synthesis and Evaluation of Lipophilic BTBP Ligands for An/Ln Separation in Nuclear Waste Treatment: The Effect of Alkyl Substitution on Extraction Properties and Implications for Ligand Design (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 8/2012)

The cover picture shows four radiochemical gloveboxes used for working with plutonium and other a-active radioactive materials as the background image. The gloveboxes contain centrifugal contactors and mixer-settler rigs for use in laboratory-scale solvent extraction, actinide oxide dissolution and aqueous actinide chemistry and spectroscopy. The picture is courtesy of Dr. Robin Taylor, National Nuclear Laboratory, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK. The foreground represents the selective extraction of AmIII over EuIII by new 6,6'-bis(triazinyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (BTBP) ligands, a family of ligands currently under study for the separation of actinides from lanthanides in a proposed future selective actinide extraction (SANEX) process. This separation is foreseen as an important step in reducing the long-term radiotoxicity of nuclear waste. Details are discussed in the article by F. W. Lewis, L. M. Harwood et al. on p. 1509 ff.