Conformational interconversion as a marker of third phase formation in the extraction of metal nitrates using tri-alkyl phosphate extractants in dodecane diluent: Insights from infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

The changes observed on the conformational landscape of tri-alkyl phosphates due to its complexation with metal-nitrates and the influence of polarity of the surrounding environment has been interpreted. Observations from extraction studies involving model phosphates with nitrates of U(VI), Th(IV) and Pu(IV) have been utilized to extrapolate to liquid phase from the insights gained through the matrix isolation infrared and computational studies reported earlier on the conformations of phosphates in gas phase. An observable enrichment of ‘Trans’ form of free extractants while loading metal-nitrates into the organic phase is established as a premonition to phase splitting resulting in third-phase formation.