U.S. patent application number 11/232541 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-15 for method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of actinides from lanthanides.
This patent application is currently assigned to Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC. Invention is credited to Mason K. Harrup, John R. Klaehn, Jack D. Law, Dean R. Peterman.
Application Number | 20100094042 11/232541 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37900233 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100094042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klaehn; John R. ; et
al. |
April 15, 2010 |
METHOD FOR FORMING AN EXTRACTION AGENT FOR THE SEPARATION OF
ACTINIDES FROM LANTHANIDES
Abstract
An extraction agent for the separation of trivalent actinides
from lanthanides in an acidic media and a method for forming same
are described, and wherein the methodology produces a stable
regiospecific and/or stereospecific dithiophosphinic acid that can
operate in an acidic media having a pH of less than about 7.
Inventors: |
Klaehn; John R.; (Idaho
Falls, ID) ; Harrup; Mason K.; (Idaho Falls, ID)
; Law; Jack D.; (Pocatello, ID) ; Peterman; Dean
R.; (Idaho Falls, ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TraskBritt / Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
PO Box 2550
Salt Lake City
UT
84110
US
|
Assignee: |
Battelle Energy Alliance,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
37900233 |
Appl. No.: |
11/232541 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
562/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07F 9/304 20130101;
Y02P 10/234 20151101; Y02P 10/20 20151101; C22B 3/007 20130101;
C22B 3/0052 20130101; G21F 9/12 20130101; G21F 9/125 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
562/9 |
International
Class: |
C07F 9/30 20060101
C07F009/30 |
Goverment Interests
GOVERNMENT RIGHTS
[0001] The United States Government has certain rights in this
invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC07-051D14517 between the
United States Department of Energy and Battelle Energy Alliance,
LLC.
Claims
1-6. (canceled)
7. A method of forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides, comprising: reacting a first reagent
with a second reagent to produce (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine, the first
reagent having a formula P-(X).sub.3 wherein X is a halogen, and
the second reagent having a formula R1-(M1)X, wherein R1 is
organic, M1 is a metal selected from the group consisting of
magnesium, lithium, sodium, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, mercury,
copper, lead, thallium, tin and combinations thereof, and X is a
halogen; reacting the (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine with a third reagent
having a formula R2-(M1)X, wherein R2 is organic and X is a
halogen, to produce R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting the
R2-R1-X-phosphine with a metal hydride reagent having a formula
(H)-M2, wherein M2 is a metal selected from the group consisting of
lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum,
and combinations thereof, to produce R2-R1-H-phosphine; and
reacting a source of sulfur with the R2-R1-H-phosphine to produce
R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each X is a halogen independently
selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
and iodine.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein reacting a first reagent with a
second reagent to produce (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine comprises reacting
the first reagent and the second reagent in a solvent comprising
diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein reacting the
(X).sub.2-R1-phosphine with a third reagent to produce
R2-R1-X-phosphine comprises reacting the (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine and
the R2-(M1)X in a solvent comprising diethyl ether at a temperature
of about 0.degree. C.
11. The method of claim 7, wherein reacting the R2-R1-X-phosphine
with a metal hydride reagent comprises reacting a solvent
comprising diethyl ether at reflux with lithium aluminum hydride
and the R2-R1-X-phosphine to produce the R2-R1-H-phosphine.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein reacting a source of sulfur with
the R2-R1-H-phosphine to produce R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid
comprises reacting the source of sulfur and the R2-R1-H-phosphine
in toluene to produce the R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein R1 and R2 are independently
selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and
aryl groups having from one carbon atom to twenty carbon atoms.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and
aryl groups further comprise substituents selected from the group
consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, boron, gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic,
antimony, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, and oxides thereof.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the aryl groups comprise single
and multiple ring groups.
16. The method of claim 7, wherein the R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid
is asymmetrical.
17. A method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides, comprising: reacting a first reagent
with a second reagent to produce R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine, the
first reagent having a formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot wherein X is
a halogen and R.sub.prot is an organoamine comprising an alkyl
group having from one carbon atom to five carbon atoms, the second
reagent having a formula R1-(M1)X, wherein R1 is organic, M1 is a
metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium,
sodium, aluminum, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, thallium,
tin and combinations thereof, and X is a halogen; reacting the
R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having a formula
R2-(M1)X, wherein R2 is organic and X is a halogen, to produce
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine
with a fourth reagent having a formula H-X wherein X is a halogen
to produce R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting the R2-R1-X-phosphine with a
metal hydride reagent having a formula H-(M2) wherein M2 is a metal
selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum and combinations thereof to
produce R2-R1-H-phosphine; reacting a source of sulfur with the
R2-R1-H-phosphine in toluene to produce R2-R1-dithiophosphinic
acid.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein each X is a halogen
independently selected from the group consisting of fluorine,
chlorine, bromine, and iodine.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein reacting a first reagent with a
second reagent to produce R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine comprises
reacting the first reagent and the second reagent in a solvent
comprising diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein reacting the
R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having a formula
R2-(M1)X comprises reacting the R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine and the
R2-(M1)X in a solvent comprising diethyl ether at a temperature of
about 0.degree. C.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein reacting the
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a fourth reagent comprises reacting
the R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine and the fourth reagent in hexane at
a temperature of about 25.degree. C. to produce the
R2-R1-X-phosphine.
22. The method of claim 17, wherein reacting the R2-R1-X-phosphine
with a metal hydride reagent comprises reacting the
R2-R1-X-phosphine with lithium aluminum hydride in diethyl ether at
reflux to produce the R2-R1-H-phosphine.
23. (canceled)
24. The method of claim 17, wherein each of R1 and R2 are
independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl,
alkynyl, and aryl groups having from one carbon atom to twenty
carbon atoms.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,
and aryl groups further comprise substituents selected from the
group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, boron, gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic,
antimony, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, and oxides thereof.
26. The method of claim 24, wherein the aryl groups include single
and multiple ring groups.
27. The method of claim 17, wherein the R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid
is asymmetrical.
28. The method of claim 17, wherein the R2-R1-dithophosphinic acid
is symmetrical.
29. A method of forming an asymmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium,
comprising: reacting o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with
phosphorus trichloride to produce dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; reacting the dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine
with n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with lithium
aluminum hydride to produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; and reacting a source of sulfur with the
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid.
30. A method of forming an asymmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium,
comprising: reacting a source of o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium
bromide with dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine to produce
chloro(diethylamino)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting
the chloro(diethylamino)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with
n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
(diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine;
reacting the (diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine with anhydrous hydrogen chloride to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with lithium
aluminum hydride to produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; and reacting a source of sulfur with the
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid.
31. A method of forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides, comprising: reacting a first reagent
with a second reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine,
the first reagent having a formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot wherein X
is a halogen and R.sub.prot is an organoamine comprising an alkyl
group having from one carbon atom to five carbon atoms, and the
second reagent having a formula R1-(M1)X wherein R1 is organic, M1
is a metal selected from magnesium, lithium, sodium, aluminum,
zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, thallium, tin and
combinations thereof, and X is a halogen; reacting the
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having a
formula H-X to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine, wherein X is a
halogen; reacting a metal hydride reagent having a formula H-(M2)
with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine to produce (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine,
wherein M2 is selected from the group consisting of lithium,
sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, and
combinations thereof; and reacting a source of sulfur with the
(R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to produce (R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic
acid.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the (R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic
acid is symmetrical and can operate in an acidic media of less than
about a pH of 7.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein X is a halogen selected from
the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and
iodine.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein reacting a first reagent with a
second reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine comprises
reacting the first reagent and the second reagent in a solvent
comprising diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein reacting a metal hydride
reagent having a formula H-(M2) with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine to
produce (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine comprises reacting the metal hydride
reagent and the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine in a solvent comprising
diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C.
36. The method of claim 31, wherein reacting the
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having a
formula H-X to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine comprises reacting
the (R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine with the third reagent in a
solvent comprising hexane at a temperature of about 25.degree.
C.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein R1 is selected from the group
consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl groups having from
one carbon atom to twenty carbon atoms.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and
aryl compounds further comprise substituents selected from oxygen,
nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, boron, gallium,
silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, sulfur,
selenium, and tellurium, and oxides thereof.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the aryl groups include single
and multiple ring groups.
40. A method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides, comprising: reacting a first reagent
with a second reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine, the first
reagent having a formula P-(X).sub.3, wherein X is a halogen, and
the second reagent having a formula R1-(M1)X wherein R1 is an
organic group comprising an inorganic component, M1 is a metal
selected from the group consisting of magnesium, lithium, sodium,
aluminum, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, lead, thallium, tin and
combinations thereof, and X is a halogen; reacting a metal hydride
reagent having a formula H-M2 with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine,
wherein M2 is selected from the group consisting of lithium,
sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, and
combinations thereof, to produce (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine; and
reacting a source of sulfur with the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to
produce (R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the (R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic
acid is symmetrical and can operate in an acidic medium at a pH of
less than about 7.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein X is a halogen selected from
the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and
iodine.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein reacting a first reagent with a
second reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine comprises reacting
the first and second reagents in a solvent comprising diethyl ether
at a temperature of about 0.degree. C.
44. The method of claim 40, wherein reacting a metal hydride
reagent having a formula H-M2 with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine
comprises reacting the metal hydride reagent and the
(R1).sub.2-X-phosphine in a solvent comprising diethyl ether at a
temperature of about 0.degree. C.
45. The method of claim 40, wherein R1 is an alkyl, alkenyl,
alkynyl, or aryl group having from one carbon atom to twenty carbon
atoms.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or
aryl group further comprises inorganic components selected from the
group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,
iodine, boron, gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic,
antimony, sulfur, selenium, and tellurium, and oxides thereof.
47. The method of claim 45, wherein the aryl group includes single
or multiple ring groups.
48. A method of forming a symmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in acidic medium,
comprising: reacting o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with
phosphorus trichloride to produce
chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with lithium aluminum
hydride to produce (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and
reacting a source of sulfur with the (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine to produce (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic
acid.
49. A method of forming a symmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides, comprising: reacting
o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with
dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine to produce
(diethylamino)(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
(diethylamino)(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with anhydrous
hydrogen chloride to produce chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; reacting the chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine with lithium aluminum hydride to produce
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and reacting a source of
sulfur with the (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to produce
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to an extraction agent and a
method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides that produces a stable regiospecific
and/or stereospecific dithiophosphinic acid that can operate in an
acidic media having a pH of less than about 7.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Those involved in the nuclear industry have long understood
that a major obstacle to the expanded use of nuclear energy is the
resulting generation of large quantities of spent nuclear fuel once
the nuclear fuel cycle has been completed. Recent advanced aqueous
reprocessing methods for spent nuclear fuel affords various methods
for reducing waste generation and eliminating the proliferation
potential in the nuclear fuel cycle. Those skilled in the art
recognize that the fission products .sup.137Cs and .sup.90Sr are
the major short term (less than 300 years) sources of heat load in
spent fuel reprocessing streams. However, the trivalent actinides,
those being primarily Americium and Curium are responsible for long
term, that is, greater than about 1,000 years heat load that would
reside in a geological repository. It has long been known that the
separation of trivalent actinides via extraction agents, and
subsequent recycle of these trivalent actinides to a nuclear
reactor for transmutation, provides a means to safely and
economically reduce the volume, heat generation, and radiotoxicity
of waste material requiring geologic deposit. The obvious benefits
from this technology would be extending the capacity for the Yucca
Mountain Repository thus delaying or obviating the need for a
second nuclear repository.
[0004] Heretofore, the commercially available extractant employed
to separate trivalent actinides from trivalent lanthanides has been
the product having the trade name Cyanex-301, which is produced by
Cytec Industries, Inc. This extractant is an effective agent for
the separation of trivalent actinides (Am(III), Cm(III), etc.) from
lanthanides in an acidic media.
[0005] While this extraction agent has worked with some degree of
success, there are shortcomings with this compound that have
detracted from its usefulness. Chief among these shortcomings is
that this compound requires the use of mildly acidic processing
conditions. In practice, the use of this compound requires complex
feeding adjustments that complicates the operation of this very
complex extraction process, and tends to increase the amount of
secondary waste material. In addition to the foregoing, it has long
been known that Cyanex-301 is easily decomposed in acidic
solutions, which further limit its usefulness in production scale
processes.
[0006] An extraction agent and method for forming an extraction
agent for the separation of actinides from lanthanides that avoids
the shortcomings in the prior art compounds and methodology used
heretofore is the subject matter of the present application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is to provide
an extraction agent for the separation of trivalent actinides from
lanthanides in an acidic media that includes a stable regiospecific
and/or stereospecific dithiophosphinic acid that can operate in an
acidic media having a pH of less than about 7.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method
for forming an extraction agent for the separation of actinides
from lanthanides that includes providing a source of a first
reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3; providing a source of a
second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X, and reacting the second
reagent, with the first reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3, to
produce (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine; reacting (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine
with a third reagent having the formula R2-(M)X to produce
R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting R2-R1-X-phosphine with a fourth metal
hydride reagent having the formula (H)-M, wherein H comprises
Hydrogen and M is a metal selected from the group comprising
lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum,
and combinations thereof to produce R2-R1-H-phosphine; and
providing a source of sulfur and reacting it with R2-R1-H-phosphine
to produce R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0009] Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a
method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides that includes providing a first reagent
having the formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot; providing a source of a
second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X, and reacting it with the
first reagent to produce R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the
R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having the formula
R2-(M)X to produce R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a fourth reagent having the formula
H-X, wherein H comprises Hydrogen and X is a halogen to produce
R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting the R2-R1-X-phosphine with a fifth
metal hydride reagent having the formula H-(M), wherein H comprises
Hydrogen and M is selected from the group comprising lithium,
sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, and
combinations thereof to produce R2-R1-H-phosphine; providing a
source of a solvent comprising toluene; and providing a source of
sulfur and reacting the source of sulfur with the R2-R1-H-phosphine
and the toluene to produce R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0010] Yet further, another aspect of the present invention relates
to a method for forming an asymmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium that
includes providing a source of phosphorus trichloride; reacting a
source of o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with the source
of phosphorus trichloride to produce
dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and reacting a source
of sulfur with the (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to
produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic
acid.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a
method for forming an asymmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium that
includes providing a source of dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine
reacting a source of o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with
the source of dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine to produce
chloro(diethylamino)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting
the chloro(diethylamino)o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a
source of n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
(diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine;
reacting the (diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine with a source of anhydrous hydrogen chloride to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and reacting a source
of sulfur with the (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to
produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic
acid.
[0012] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a
method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides that includes providing a first source
of a reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot; providing a
source of a second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X and reacting
the second reagent with the first reagent to produce
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having the
formula H-X, wherein H comprises Hydrogen and X is a halogen, to
produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine; reacting a fourth metal hydride
reagent having the formula H-(M) with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine,
wherein the H comprises Hydrogen and the M is selected from the
group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium,
boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, to produce
(R1).sub.2-H-phosphine; and providing a source of sulfur and
reacting it with the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to produce
(R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0013] Still another aspect of the present invention relates to a
method for forming an extraction agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides that includes providing a first source
of a reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3; providing a source of
a second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X and reacting the second
reagent with the first reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine;
reacting a third metal hydride reagent having the formula H-(M)
with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine, wherein the H comprises Hydrogen,
and M is selected from group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, to
produce (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine; and providing a source of sulfur
and reacting it with the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to produce
(R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0014] Finally, another aspect of the present invention relates to
a method of forming a symmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium that
includes providing a source of phosphorus trichloride; reacting a
source of o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with the source
of phosphorus trichloride to produce
chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; and reacting a source of sulfur with the
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to produce
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid.
[0015] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
described in greater detail hereinafter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] This disclosure of the invention is submitted in furtherance
of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws "to promote
the progress of science and useful arts" (Article 1, Section
8).
[0017] To thoroughly understand the novelty of the present
invention an understanding of the synthesis of a prior art
extraction agent is helpful. As discussed above, the commercially
available compound having the trade name Cyanex-301 is currently
employed in a highly complex extraction process to extract
trivalent actinides from lanthanides. The synthesis of Cyanex-301
is best understood by reference to the reaction noted below:
##STR00001##
[0018] It will be understood that Cyanex-301 is synthesized in a
two step process. Further, the present process has no stereoisomer
control as represented by the wavy line that is positioned close to
the phosphorus atom. In addition to the foregoing, the synthesis,
noted above, is restricted to alkenes (that is, aliphatic groups).
Still further, this compound is not very acidic for actinide metal
extractions. As noted earlier, this same commercially available
compound shows a degree of instability and decomposes readily in an
acidic media. As currently commercially purchased, the product is
only approximately 70% pure when purchased from the manufacturer
Cytec Industries, Inc. Those skilled in the art have recognized
that one of the major problems with Cyanex-301 is that it is prone
to degradation during the solvent extraction process.
[0019] Another prior art methodology for the separation of
trivalent actinides from lanthanides is seen by reference to U.S.
Pat. No. 6,312,654 to Modolo et al. (hereinafter referred to as the
"Modolo Patent"), which issued on Nov. 6, 2001. The reaction as
contemplated by the Modolo Patent is set forth below:
##STR00002##
[0020] The reaction, as noted above, has been typically referred to
as a Higgins' Reaction, which was first described by W. A. Higgins
in the Journal of American Chemical Society, 1955, 77, 1864. The
Higgins' Reaction is best understood by the following:
##STR00003##
[0021] The Modolo Patent expands the Higgins' Reaction shown
immediately above to produce a resulting compound as illustrated.
Those skilled in the art have recognized that the reaction as
contemplated by the Modolo Patent produces yields of only about
50-70%. Still further, the compound produced has no regiospecific
substitution control. Other materials published by the author have
indicated an approximate 50% overall yield using benzene only. In
view of the fact that this reaction is not regiospecific selective,
the resulting products will contain a mixture of both para and
ortho compounds. Those skilled in the art have long recognized that
the purification of ortho regiospecific products is often very
difficult to obtain. The resulting product provided by the Modolo
Patent does have certain advantages over the compound Cyanex-301.
As currently understood, the compound produced by the Modolo Patent
appears to be water, acid, and radiation stable in contrast to
Cyanex-301. However, the compounds produced by the teaching of the
Modolo Patent has certain disadvantages, including no extraction
efficiency towards certain lanthanides and actinides by itself and
further must use various synergists to get an extraction efficiency
between certain actinides and lanthanides.
[0022] In the present invention, the inventors have discovered an
extraction agent and methodology for forming an extraction agent
for the separation of actinides in an acidic media that comprises a
stable regiospecific and/or stereospecific dithiophosphinic acid,
which can operate in an acidic media having a pH of less than about
7, and which avoids the shortcomings of the prior art discussed
above. As presently conceived, the resulting dithiophosphinic acid
may be symmetrical, or asymmetrical as will be discussed
hereinafter. Yet further, the dithiophosphinic acid may be formed
utilizing a single organometal reagent or two different organometal
reagents. In this regard, the organometal reagent may have a
formula R-(M)X, wherein M is a metal selected from the group
comprising magnesium, lithium, sodium, aluminum, zinc, cadmium,
mercury, copper, lead, thallium, and/or tin, wherein X is a halogen
and R is an organic, which may have an inorganic component. The
methodology of forming an extractant agent for the separation of
actinides from lanthanides is shown in a first reaction, which is
illustrated below:
##STR00004##
[0023] The method as derived from the illustrated reaction, above,
of forming an extraction agent for the separation of actinides from
lanthanides comprises the steps of providing a source of a first
reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3; providing a source of a
second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X, and reacting the second
reagent with the first reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3 to
produce (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine; reacting (X).sub.2-R1-phosphine
with a third reagent having the formula R2-(M)X to produce
R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting R2-R1-X-phosphine with a fourth metal
hydride reagent having the formula (H)-M, wherein H comprises
Hydrogen and M is a metal selected from the group comprising
lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum,
and combinations thereof to produce R2-R1-H-phosphine; and
providing a source of sulfur and reacting it with R2-R1-H-phosphine
to produce R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0024] As should be understood in the methodology as described
above, (X).sub.3 is selected from the group comprising fluorine,
chlorine, bromine, and iodine. In the methodology as described
above, the method includes a further step of providing a source of
a first solvent that comprises diethyl ether at a temperature of
about 0.degree. C. and reacting the first reagent having the
formula P-(X).sub.3 and the second reagent having the formula
R1-(M) X with the first solvent. Yet further, the methodology as
described above includes another step of providing a source of a
second solvent comprising diethyl ether at a temperature of about
0.degree. C. and reacting the second solvent with the
(X).sub.2-R1-phosphine and the R2-(M)X to produce the
R2-R1-X-phosphine. In addition to the foregoing, the methodology
further includes the step of providing a source of a solvent
comprising diethyl ether at reflux and reacting the fourth metal
hydride reagent, which comprises lithium aluminum hydride, and the
R2-R1-X-phosphine to produce the R2-R1-H-phosphine. In the
methodology as described above, R1 and R2 are selected from the
group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or aryl compounds that
have one to about 20 carbon atoms. As should be further understood,
the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or aryl compounds may include
inorganic components that are selected from the group comprising
oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, boron,
gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, sulfur,
selenium, tellurium, and oxides thereof. In the methodology as
described above, the aryl compounds include both single and
multiple ring compounds. In the methodology as described above, the
R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid is asymmetrical, and can operate in an
acidic media having a pH of less than about 7.
[0025] More specifically, in the chemical reaction noted above, a
methodology of forming an asymmetrical extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides in an acidic medium
includes the steps of providing a source of phosphorus trichloride;
reacting a source of o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with
the source of phosphorus trichloride to produce
dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
dichloro(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and reacting a source
of sulfur with the (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to
produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic
acid.
[0026] Another example of a method for forming an extraction agent
for the separation of actinides from lanthanides is seen and
understood by reference to the second chemical reaction identified
below:
##STR00005##
[0027] In the method for forming an extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides that is derived from the
reaction shown above, the method includes the steps of providing a
first reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot; providing
a source of a second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X and
reacting it with the first reagent to produce
R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine
with a third reagent having the formula R2-(M)X to produce
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine
with a fourth reagent having the formula H-X, wherein H comprises
Hydrogen and X is a halogen to produce R2-R1-X-phosphine; reacting
the R2-R1-X-phosphine with a fifth metal hydride reagent having the
formula H-(M), wherein H comprises Hydrogen and M is selected from
the group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium,
calcium, boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, to produce
R2-R1-H-phosphine; providing a source of a solvent comprising
toluene; and providing a source of sulfur and reacting the source
of sulfur with the R2-R1-H-phosphine and the toluene to produce
R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0028] In the methodology as described in the paragraph immediately
above, X is selected from the group comprising fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, and iodine, wherein R.sub.prot is selected from the group
comprising of organoamines having the formula R.sub.2-N, wherein R
comprises an alkyl having one to about five carbon atoms and N
comprises Nitrogen. Further, the methodology as described above
includes a step of providing a source of a first solvent comprising
diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C. and reacting
the first reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot and the
second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X with the diethyl ether.
Yet further, the methodology as described above further includes
the step of providing a source of a second solvent comprising
diethyl ether at a temperature of about 0.degree. C. and reacting
it with the R1-X-R.sub.prot-phosphine and the R2-(M)X to produce
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine.
[0029] In the methodology as described above, the method includes a
further step of providing a source of a solvent comprising hexane
at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. and reacting the
R2-R1-R.sub.prot-phosphine and the fourth reagent having the
formula H-X in the hexane to produce the R2-R1-X-phosphine. The
methodology includes a further step of providing a source of
diethyl ether at reflux and reacting the fifth metal hydride
reagent, which comprises a source of lithium aluminum hydride, and
the R2-R1-X-phosphine to produce the R2-R1-H-phosphine.
Additionally, the methodology includes yet another step of
providing a source of a solvent comprising toluene and reacting the
source of toluene with the source of sulfur and the
R2-R1-H-phosphine to produce the R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid. In
the methodology as described above, R1 and R2 are selected from the
group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl and/or aryl compounds that
have one to about 20 carbon atoms. As with the first reaction
described above for forming the stable regiospecific and/or
stereospecific dithiophosphinic acid, the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl
and/or aryl compounds may include inorganic components selected
from the group comprising oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, iodine, boron, gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus,
arsenic, antimony, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and oxides thereof
As was the case with the first reaction, described earlier, the
aryl compounds include both single and multiple ring compounds, and
further, the R2-R1-dithiophosphinic acid is asymmetrical, and can
operate in an acidic medium of less than about a pH of 7. In yet
another alternative to the reaction noted above, it should be
understood that R1 and R2 can be substantially the same reagent,
wherein the resulting R2-R1-dithophosphinic acid is symmetrical and
can operate in an acidic medium of less than about a pH of 7.
[0030] More specifically, the methodology as derived from the
reaction discussed immediately above that is useful for forming an
asymmetrical extraction agent for the separation of actinides from
lanthanides in an acidic medium includes the steps of providing a
source of dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine; reacting a source of
o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with the source of
dichloro(diethylamino) phosphine to produce
chloro(diethylamino)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting
the chloro(diethylamino)o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a
source of n-octylmagnesium bromide to produce
(diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine;
reacting the (diethylamino)(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine with a source of anhydrous hydrogen chloride to produce
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce
(n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; and reacting a source
of sulfur with the (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to
produce (n-octyl)(o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic
acid.
[0031] Another aspect of the methodology of forming an extraction
agent for the separation of actinides from lanthanides is shown in
the third reaction noted below:
##STR00006##
[0032] As seen in the third reaction, noted above, the method for
forming an extraction agent for the separation of actinides from
lanthanides includes the steps of providing a source of a first
reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.2-R.sub.prot; providing a
source of a second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X and reacting
the second reagent with the first reagent to produce
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine; reacting the
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine with a third reagent having the
formula H-X, wherein H comprises Hydrogen and X is a halogen to
produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine; reacting a fourth metal hydride
reagent having the formula H-(M) with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine,
wherein the H comprises Hydrogen and the M is selected from the
group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium,
boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, to produce
(R1).sub.2-H-phosphine; and providing a source of sulfur and
reacting it with the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to produce
(R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid.
[0033] As seen in the third reaction, noted above, the resulting
R1-R2-dithiophosphinic acid is symmetrical and can operate in an
acidic media of less than about 7. Still further, in the reaction
noted in the paragraph immediately above, X is selected from the
group comprising fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, wherein
the R.sub.prot is selected from the group comprising organoamines
having the formula R.sub.2-N, wherein R comprises an alkyl having
one to about five carbon atoms and N comprises Nitrogen.
Additionally, the method further includes the step of providing a
source of a first solvent comprising diethyl ether at a temperature
of about 0.degree. C. and reacting it with the first and second
reagents. The method also includes the step of providing a source
of a second solvent comprising diethyl ether at a temperature of
about 0.degree. C. and reacting it with the fourth metal hydride
reagent and the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine to produce the
(R1).sub.2-H-phosphine. The method also includes an additional step
of providing a source of a solvent comprising hexane at a
temperature of about 25.degree. C. and reacting the
(R1).sub.2-R.sub.prot-phosphine and the third reagent to produce
the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine. In the methodology as described above,
R1 is selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl, alkynl,
and/or aryl compounds that have one to about 20 carbon atoms.
Additionally, it will be noted that the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,
and/or aryl compounds may include inorganic components selected
from the group comprising oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine,
bromine, iodine, boron, gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus,
arsenic, antimony, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, and oxides thereof.
As was described above with respect to the other previously
disclosed chemical reactions, the aryl compounds include both
single and multiple ring compounds.
[0034] The method for forming an extraction agent for the
separation of actinides from lanthanides as discussed above, may
also include other steps including providing a first source of a
reagent having the formula P-(X).sub.3; providing a source of a
second reagent having the formula R1-(M)X and reacting the second
reagent with the first reagent to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine;
reacting a third metal hydride reagent having the formula H-(M)
with the (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine, wherein the H comprises Hydrogen
and M is selected from group comprising lithium, sodium, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, boron, aluminum, and combinations thereof, to
produce (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine; and providing a source of sulfur
and reacting it with the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine to produce
(R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid. In the methodology as described
in this paragraph, the (R1).sub.2-dithiophosphinic acid is
symmetrical and can operate in an acidic medium at a pH of less
than about 7. As with the previously described reactions, X is
selected from the group comprising fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and
iodine. Further, the methodology as described above includes a step
of providing a source of a first solvent comprising diethyl ether
at a temperature of about 0.degree. C. and reacting it with the
first and second reagents to produce (R1).sub.2-X-phosphine. In
addition to the foregoing, the methodology includes another step of
providing a source of a second solvent comprising diethyl ether at
a temperature of about 0.degree. C. and reacting the second solvent
with the fourth metal hydride reagent and the
(R1).sub.2-X-phosphine to produce the (R1).sub.2-H-phosphine.
Moreover, R1 is selected from the group comprising alkyl, alkenyl,
alkynyl, and/or aryl compounds that have one to about 20 carbon
atoms, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and/or aryl compound
may include inorganic components selected from the group comprising
oxygen, nitrogen fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, boron,
gallium, silicon, germanium, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, sulfur,
selenium, tellurium, and oxides thereof As was the case with the
other reactions noted above, the aryl compounds include both single
and multiple ring compounds.
[0035] The present invention contemplates a methodology of forming
a symmetrical extraction agent for the separation of actinides from
lanthanides in an acidic medium, which includes the steps of
providing a source of phosphorus trichloride; reacting a source of
o-trifluoromethylphenylmagnesium bromide with the source of
phosphorus trichloride to produce chloro(di-o-tri
fluoromethylphenyl) phosphine; reacting the
chloro(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine with a source of
lithium aluminum hydride to produce (di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl)
phosphine; and reacting a source of sulfur with the
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) phosphine to produce
(di-o-trifluoromethylphenyl) dithiophosphinic acid.
[0036] Examples of the synthesis of the stable regiospecific and/or
stereo dithiophosphinic acid of the present invention are provided
below:
Synthesis of Di-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)dithiophosphinic
Acid
[0037] The following examples are by reference to the chemical
reaction identified as Schemes 1 and 2 below. With reference to
Scheme 1, an approximate 1.0 M solution of a starting Grignard
reagent was synthesized (1). Magnesium metal shavings (Mg.sup.0,
4.9 g; 0.20 mol) were placed into a 250 mL round bottom flask. The
flask was equipped with a gas inlet adapter and magnetic stir bar.
This system was placed under vacuum and the system was then purged
with nitrogen. First, 171 mL of an anhydrous diethyl ether was
transferred to the flask by syringe, and then 50 g (0.171 mol) of
3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3Br (2) was introduced by syringe.
The solution was stirred during the reaction. An ice bath was
needed to cool down the reaction as the magnesium was consumed.
After most of the magnesium metal was consumed, the reaction
mixture was allowed to set overnight under nitrogen.
[0038] After the procedure discussed above, and by reference to
Scheme 2, a 500-mL three-neck, round-bottom flask, equipped with a
gas inlet; a 125 mL addition funnel; magnetic stir bar, and a
rubber septum was charged with nitrogen,
Cl.sub.2P-N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2 (3) 10 g, 0.058 mol), and
anhydrous diethyl ether (300 mL). The solution was cooled to
0.degree. C., and a Grignard reagent
[3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3MgBr (2)] (.about.1.0 M in
diethyl ether, 117 mL, 0.117 mol) was added to the addition funnel
via syringe. The compound (2) was added to the cooled solution.
After finishing, the addition funnel was removed and replaced with
a stopper. The ice bath was removed and the mixture was allowed to
warm to room temperature while stirring overnight. The next day,
approximately .about.75% of the ether was removed under reduced
pressure, leaving behind a slurry. The slurry was washed three
times with 200 mL of hexanes to precipitate the salts. The
supernatant,
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2Cl.sub.2P-N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).s-
ub.2 (4), was decanted into a nitrogen-purged 1000-mL round-bottom
flask equipped with a magnetic stir bar.
[0039] Using the previous setup, six equivalents of 2.0 M hydrogen
chloride in diethyl ether (150 mL; 0.20 mol) was introduced to the
isolated phosphine
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2C1.sub.2P-N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).s-
ub.2 (4) in hexanes via syringe. The solution stayed at room
temperature, stirring, under nitrogen. The amine salt formed during
a 2-4 hour time span. This salt was separated by airless
filtration, and the solution was concentrated by the removal of
excess hexanes under nitrogen. The concentrated solution was
purified by vacuum distillation at 0.10 to 0.20 mmHg/83.degree. C.
to give (3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2P-C1 (5) as a
colorless liquid. Isolated yields of compound (5) were roughly 72%
with good purity.
[0040] Following the reaction noted above, a three-neck 250 mL
round-bottom flask was equipped with a water-jacketed condenser,
gas inlet adapter, tow stoppers, and magnetic stir bar. The system
was then purged with nitrogen. Anhydrous diethyl ether (100 mL) was
transferred to the flask, via syringe. LiAlH.sub.4 (0.57 g, 0.015
mol) was introduced into the flask and cooled to -78.degree. C.;
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2P-Cl (5) (5.0 g, 0.0011
mol) was slowly added to the cooled flask by syringe. The gray
slurry that resulted was refluxed for about 2 hours, cooled to
0.degree. C., and slowly hydrolyzed with 10 wt % aqueous
NH.sub.4Cl. The organic layer was separated, and the remaining
white precipitate was extracted three times with 25 mL of diethyl
ether. The combined ether extracts were dried with
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4, filtered and evaporated to give
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2P-H (6) as a pale yellow
air-sensitive solid. The purification was conducted by sublimation
at 0.07 to 0.10 mmHg/100-130.degree. C., which gave
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2P-H (6) as a white solid.
A small amount of the side-product (phosphine oxide) was carried
across with the product. A .sup.31P NMR subsequently showed
compound (6) as the dominate peak (90-95%). The yields were
estimated at about 50%.
[0041] The final reaction was as follows: a 100-mL round-bottom
flask was equipped with a water-jacketed condenser, gas inlet
adaptor, and magnetic stir bar. The system was purged with
nitrogen. A slight excess of sulfur flower (S.sub.8; 0.15 g, 0.006
mol) was used with this reaction, and anhydrous toluene (50 mL) was
transferred to the flask, via syringe. A solution of
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2P-H (6) (1.0 g, 0.002
mol) in anhydrous toluene (25 mL) was slowly added to the flask by
syringe. The reaction was refluxed vigorously to yield
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2PS.sub.2H (7) in about 24
hours. The reaction was cooled to room temperature and the excess
sulfur was filtered. Toluene was evaporated by reduced pressure to
give a greenish-white solid. The solid residue was dissolved in
petroleum (PET) ether and more sulfur precipitated out of solution.
The PET ether solution was filtered again to give a green solution.
The PET ether was removed by reduced pressure to give a
greenish-white solid. The final product,
(3,5-(CF.sub.3).sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.3).sub.2PS.sub.2H (7), has a
.sup.31P NMR at 50 ppm. The product could be purified by vacuum
distillation. Compound (7) distilled at 0.08-0.06
mmHg/120-130.degree. C. It should be noted that the product needed
to be "flashed" (heated glass) across to stop the product from
solidifying in the distillation apparatus. It distilled as a slight
greenish-white, amorphous solid. It can be crystallized in hexanes
to give clear, transparent, hexagonal crystals. The final product
yields for this reaction were variable between 30-62%. The
resulting Di-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)dithiophosphinic Acid
(7) had the following characteristics: 62% yield; mp=72-74.degree.
C.; bp=0.06-0.08 mmHg/120-130.degree. C.; .sup.31P NMR .delta.
(CDCl.sub.3)=(s) 50.0; .sup.1H NMR .delta. (CDCl.sub.3) =(d,
J.sub.PH=14.4 Hz, 2H) 8.43, (s, H) 8.11, (s, H) 2.84; .sup.13C NMR
.delta. (CDCl.sub.3)=(doublet, J.sub.PC=86.0 Hz, ipso) 138.4,
(doublet of quartets, J.sub.PC=13.8 Hz, J.sub.CF=34.2 Hz, meta)
133.3, (doublet, J.sub.PC=10.8 Hz, ortho) 131.4, (doublet,
J.sub.PC=3.1 Hz, para) 127.0, and (quartet, J.sub.CF=271.8 Hz,
CF.sub.3) 123.0.
##STR00007##
##STR00008##
Synthesis of Bis-(o-trifluoromethylphenyl)dithiophosphinic Acid
[0042] The following synthesis example is made by reference to
Schemes 3 and 4 set forth below. Magnesium metal shavings
(Mg.sup.0, 6.1 g; 0.25 mol) were placed into a 250 mL round-bottom
flask. The flask was equipped with a gas inlet adapter and magnetic
stir bar. This system was placed under vacuum and the system was
then purged with nitrogen. First, 225 mL of anhydrous diethyl ether
was transferred to the flask by syringe, and then 50 g (0.222 mol)
of o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4Br (8) was introduced by syringe. The
solution was stirred during the reaction. An ice bath was needed to
cool down the reaction as the magnesium was consumed. After most of
the magnesium metal was consumed, the reaction mixture was allowed
to set overnight under nitrogen. An .about.1.0 M solution of
o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4MgBr (9) was produced.
[0043] Following a similar procedure as before and by reference to
Scheme 4, a 500-mL three-neck, round-bottom flask, equipped with a
gas inlet, a 125-mL addition funnel, magnetic stir bar, and a
rubber septum was charged with nitrogen, PCl.sub.3 (5 mL, 7.6 g,
0.055 mol), and anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (THF, 300 mL). The
Grignard reagent, o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4MgBr (9) (.about.1.0 M
in diethyl ether, 110 mL, 0.110 mol), was added to the addition
funnel via syringe and then slowly added to the solution at room
temperature. After finishing, the addition funnel was removed and
replaced with a stopper. The mixture remained at room temperature
while stirring overnight. Next day, approximately 50% of the
ether/THF solution was removed under reduced pressure, leaving
behind a slurry. The slurry was carefully washed three times with
200 mL of hexanes to precipitate the salts. The supernatant,
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-Cl (10), was decanted into a
nitrogen-purged, 1000-mL round-bottom flask equipped with a
magnetic stir bar. The hexanes were removed at reduced pressure,
leaving an oil. The concentrated solution was then purified by
vacuum distillation at 0.125 mmHg/110-120.degree. C. to give
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-Cl (10) as a colorless liquid.
Isolated yields for compound (10) were roughly 62% with good purity
as determined by P NMR.
[0044] The next reaction followed a similar procedure as before.
Typically, a three-neck, 250-mL round-bottom flask was equipped
with a water-jacketed condenser, gas inlet adaptor, two stoppers,
and magnetic stir bar. The system was then purged with nitrogen.
Anhydrous diethyl ether (100 mL) was transferred to the flask, via
syringe. LiAlH.sub.4 (0.76 g, 0.02 mol) was introduced into the
flask and cooled to -78.degree. C. A solution of
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-Cl (10) (5.0 g, 0.014 mol) in
anhydrous diethyl ether (25 mL) was slowly added to the cooled
flask by syringe. The gray slurry was refluxed for 2 hours, cooled
to 0.degree. C., and slowly hydrolyzed with 10 wt % aqueous
NH.sub.4Cl. The organic layer was separated, and the remaining
white precipitate was extracted three times with 25 mL of diethyl
ether. The combined ether extracts were dried with
Na.sub.2SO.sub.4; filtered; and evaporated to give
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-H (11) as a pale yellow
air-sensitive liquid. The concentrated solution was purified by
vacuum distillation at 0.05 to 0.15 mmHg/88-93.degree. C. to give
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-H (11) as a colorless liquid.
Isolated yields for compound (11) were roughly 61% with good purity
as determined by .sup.31 P NMR. Compound (11) remains a liquid at
room temperature.
[0045] The final reaction followed a similar procedure as before. A
100 mL round-bottom flask was equipped with a water-jacketed
condenser, gas inlet adaptor, and magnetic stir bar. The system was
purged with nitrogen. An excess of sulfur flower (S.sub.8; 0.576 g,
0.018 mol) was used with this reaction. The sulfur added directly
to the flask and then anhydrous toluene (50 mL) was transferred to
the flask, via syringe. (o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2P-H (11)
(2.0 g, 0.006 mol) was slowly added to the flask by syringe. The
reaction was refluxed vigorously to yield
(o-(CF.sub.3)C.sub.6H.sub.4).sub.2PS.sub.2H (12) in about 24 hours.
The reaction was cooled to room temperature and the excess sulfur
was filtered. Toluene was evaporated by reduced pressure to give a
greenish-white solid. The solid residue was dissolved in diethyl
ether, and more sulfur precipitated out of solution. The diethyl
ether solution was filtered again to give a slight-green solution.
The diethyl ether was removed by reduced pressure to give compound
(11). Compound (11) has a .sup.31P NMR at 58 ppm, and it could be
purified by vacuum distillation at 0.07-0.125 mmHg/150-160.degree.
C. It should be noted that the product needed to be "flashed"
(heated glass) across to stop the product from solidifying in the
distillation apparatus. It distilled as a white, amorphous solid.
It can be crystallized in hexanes to give clear, transparent,
hexagonal crystals. The final product yields for this reaction were
variable between 30-53%.
[0046] The resulting
Bis-(o-Bistrifluoromethylphenyl)dithiophosphinic Acid (7) had the
following characteristics: 53% yield; mp=93-94.degree. C.;
bp=0.07-0.125 mmHg/150-160.degree. C.; .sup.31P NMR .delta.
(CDCl.sub.3) =(t, J.sub.PF=19.6 Hz) 58.1; .sup.1H NMR .delta.
(CDCl.sub.3)=(dd, J.sub.PH=18.0 Hz, J.sub.FH=9.0 Hz, H) 8.43, (m,
3H) 7.65-7.85, (s, H) 3.31; .sup.13C NMR .delta.
(CDCl.sub.3)=(doublet, J.sub.PC=78.5 Hz, ipso) 134.3, (doublet,
J.sub.PC=12.8 Hz, ortho) 134.2, (doublet, J.sub.PC=3.0 Hz, para)
132.1, (doublet, J.sub.PC=14.3 Hz, meta) 131.7, (doublet of
quartets, J.sub.PC=6.0 Hz, J.sub.CF=38.5 Hz, ortho) 129.7,
(multiplet, meta) 128.0, (quartet, J.sub.CF=274.7 Hz, CF.sub.3)
123.4.
##STR00009##
##STR00010##
[0047] The invention has been described in language more or less
specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
specific features shown and described, since the means herein
disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into
effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or
modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims
appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of
equivalents.
* * * * *