A Novel Bicyclic Diamide with High Binding Affinity for Trivalent f‐Block Elements

Abstract
A new bicyclic diamide compound, 3,9‐diaza‐3,9‐dioctylbicyclo[4.4.0]decane‐2,10‐dione (1) has been prepared, and its affinity for Eu3+ and Am3+ has been explored using liquid–liquid extraction methods. Molecular mechanics calculations have shown that the two amide oxygen atoms in 1 should be ideally situated for binding to trivalent actinide or lanthanide ions and should form strong complexes. The data in this report support this hypothesis. As determined by liquid–liquid extraction, the affinity of 1 for Eu3+ is on the order of 107 times greater than previously investigated malonamides. The extraction behavior for Am3+ is similar to that of Eu3+.