Dialkyldiaza-tetraalkyloctane diamide derivatives useful for the separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides and process for the preparation thereof

The novel lipophilic metal extractants of the class dialkyldiaza-tetraalkyloctanediamide (DADA) useful to selectively separate trivalent americium (sup. 241 Am) from trivalent lanthanides are represented by the formula 1: Wherein R is a C1 to C5 normal alkyl and R′ is a C4 to C8 normal and branched alkyl group. The compounds are synthesized at high yield and purity by the reaction of corresponding N,N′-dialkylethylenediamine and N,N-dialkyl-2-chloroacetamide. The separation is achieved by utilizing the soft-soft interaction between the trivalent actinides and 'N' atoms of the extractant. Both soft donor "n" and hard donor 'O' sites are incorporated in the molecule for better extraction of trivalent actinides over trivalent lanthanides. Thus, this molecule can be used as selective extractant to separate trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides.