Molecular and Supramolecular Study of Uranium/Plutonium Liquid-Liquid Extraction with ,-Dialkylamides.

In the context of the separation of uranium and plutonium from spent fuel allowed by -dialkylamides, three regioisomers of -di(2-ethylhexyl) butyramide (DEHBA or ββ) and the diastereopure isomers of -(2-ethylhexyl)--(oct-3-yl)butyramide (EHOBA or αβ) were synthesized to assess their extraction performance and to study the mechanisms at the origin of the differences observed between the stereo- and regioisomers. The -dialkylamides showed differences in extraction, with a greater effect of regio- than stereoisomerism. A mechanistic study at both the molecular and supramolecular scales was initially applied to explain these effects.