Extraction of Tb(III) with N, N, N', N'- tetrabutylmalonamide

The study on the extraction and separation of rare earths with new extractants is important in rare earth hydrometallurgy and nuclear fuel reprocessing. In this work, a new synthesis method of N,N,N’,N’-tetrabutylmalonamide (TBMA) is described with a yield higher than 80%. The extraction behavior of TBMA employing n-hexane-20 % n-octanol benzene and toluene as diluents toward Tb(III) was investigated. The effect of the concentrations of nitric acid, lithium nitrate and extractant as well as the temperature on the extraction distribution ratio was studied in different diluents. The stoichiometry of the extracted species of Tb(III) conforms to Tb(NO3)3·3TBMA. An attempt was made to determine the structure of the extracted species from IR and mol conductance data.