Enrichment of Potassium Isotopes with Macrocyclic Polyether Potassium Complexes

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Abstract
Enrichment of the potassium isotopes is achieved by means of the chemical exchange reaction Where L represents a macrocyclic polyether. Dicyclohexyl‐18‐crown‐6 ((cis‐syn‐cis)‐isomer) was investigated. The single stage‐separation factor a=1+ε was determined according to the method of Glueckauf from the elution curve and iso‐topic assays. One obtains ε‐values of 1.18, 0.84. and 0.74 × 10−3(±5×10−5) at −10, 0 and 10° respectively, in favor of the heavy isotope, indicating an enthalpy of isotopic exchange of −13 ± 4 Joule mol−1.The technical feasibility of a pre‐enrichment process for 40K starling with basic laboratory data is discussed.