Exploring the Subtle Effect of Aliphatic Ring Size on Minor Actinide Extraction Properties and Metal Ion Speciation in Bis‐1,2,4‐Triazine Ligands

The synthesis and evaluation of three novel bis‐1,2,4‐triazine ligands containing 5‐membered aliphatic rings are reported. Compared to the more hydrophobic ligands 1–3 containing 6‐membered aliphatic rings, the distribution ratios for relevant f‐block metal ions were approx. one order of magnitude lower in each case. Ligand 10 showed an efficient, selective and rapid separation of Am(III) and Cm(III) from nitric acid. The speciation of the ligands with trivalent f‐block metal ions was probed using NMR titrations and competition experiments, time‐resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. While the tetradentate ligands 8 and 10 formed Ln(III) complexes of the same stoichiometry as their more hydrophobic analogues 2 and 3, significant differences in speciation were observed between the two classes of ligand, with a lower percentage of the extracted 1:2 complexes being formed for ligands 8 and 10. The structures of the solid state 1:1 and 1:2 complexes formed by 8 and 10 with Y(III), Lu(III) and Pr(III) are very similar to those formed by 2 and 3 with Ln(III). Ligand 10 forms Cm(III) and Eu(III) 1:2 complexes that are thermodynamically less stable than those formed by ligand 3, suggesting that less hydrophobic ligands form less stable An(III) complexes. Thus we show for the first time how tuning the cyclic aliphatic part of these ligands leads to subtle changes in their metal ion speciation, complex stability and metal extraction affinity.