Solvent Extraction of Plutonium (IV) Polymer by Dihexyl-N, N-Diethyl-carbamoylmethylphosphonate (DHDECMP)

Abstract
The bifunctional organophosphorus compound DHDECMP (dihexyl-N, N-diethylcarbamoylmethylphosphonate) is effective in the extraction of hydrolytic plutonium (IV) polymer from both 0.04 and 7.0M nitric acid. Stripping the polymer- is difficult, even with hydrofluoric acid. However, 1.0M sodium carbonate is a very effective stripping agent. The extracted complex contains one to two molecules of DHDECMP per plutonium ion and the plutonium (IV) maintains a polymeric structure.