Novel complexing agents for the efficient separation of actinides and remediation of actinide-contaminated sites

摘要

Research into the coordination chemistry of transactinide elements should provide us with new fundamental knowledge about structure, geometry, and stability of these metal complexes. Our approach involves the design, synthesis, and characterization of 'expanded porphyrin' macrocyclic ligands which coordinate the actinide metal cations with high thermodynamic affinity and kinetic stability. The critical components of this research endeavor, along with the viability of metal complex formation, will be correlated to ring size and core geometry of the ligand and, the atomic radius, oxidation state, coordination geometry and coordination number of the transactinium metal ion. These chelating agents may have certain applications to the solution of some radioactive waste problems if they can be attached to polymer supports and used to chemically separate the radioactive components in waste.