New Lanthanide Oxalato-nitrates Crystallized From Acidic Solutions

Abstract

AbstractTo identify the various oxalates and oxalato-nitrates likely to form during the nuclear fuel reprocessing we study crystallization of such compounds by various methods (slow diffusion, hydrothermal syntheses, in situ oxalate syntheses …), in different conditions and in presence of monovalent ions. In a first stage, lanthanides are used as surrogates of the actinides (III) radioactive elements. This communication reviews various lanthanides (III) compounds obtained by crystallization from nitric acid solution containing hydrazinium ions. Diethyl oxalate was used as a precursor for oxalate ions. A careful adjustment of the experimental conditions allowed us to synthesize single crystals of nitrates, oxalato-nitrates and oxalates with various ligand/Ln(III) ratio and containing nitrates as ligands or as counter ions. In all the compounds hydrazinium ions are present as counter ions. The crystal growth method is described and the crystal structures, determined by X-ray diffraction from single crystals, are discussed in terms of metal-oxalate frameworks.