Challenging conventional f-element separation chemistry – reversing uranyl(VI)/lanthanide(III) solvent extraction selectivity

The water soluble tetradentate Schiff base, N,N′-bis(5-sulfonatosalicylidene)-diaminoethane (H2salen-SO3), will readily coordinate to the uranyl(VI) cation, but not to the same extent to trivalent lanthanide cations. This allows for the reversal of conventional solvent extraction properties and opens the possibility for novel separation processes.