Stereochemically enriched extractants for the extraction of actinides

Numerous studies on the understanding of extraction mechanisms and complex structures have been carried out for hydrometallurgical processes. However, the influence of extractant stereochemistry on extraction performance has not been fully understood or even studied at all. In the present study, promising results for the extraction of actinides have been obtained using different stereoisomers of the extractant di-2-ethylhexylbutyramide (DEHBA), which highlights the importance of the extractant chirality. Stereoisomers of monoamide highlight the importance of the extractant chirality for U/Pu extraction.