The Synthesis and Decomposition of Novel Organophosphorus Complexants

Abstract
Aqueous soluble organic diphosphonic acids have been synthesized as aids in the extraction/recovery of metal values from nuclear waste, ground water, or hydrometallurgical processes. The reagents form aqueous soluble complexes at very low pH values (< 1). After use, these compounds do not represent an additional waste management problem as they are readily decomposed to innocuous materials (phosphoric acid and carbon dioxide) by warming and/or by the action of a mild oxidizing agent.