Study concerning the chemistry of actinides in saturated KF solution included work with neptunium, uranium, and americium. Solubilities, absorption spectra, oxidation-reduction reactions, and solid compounds which can be produced in KF solution were examined. The information is used for preparation of various materials from salts of the actinides

Cohen, D.

Thalmayer, C. E.

English

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January 1969	 Brief 69-10004 
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
FES
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs describe innovations resulting from the research and development program 
of the U.S. AEC or from AEC-NASA interagency efforts. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are published by NASA and may be purchased, at 15 cents each, from 
the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. 
Study of Actinide Chemistry 
in Saturated Potassium Fluoride Solution 
A study has been made concerning the chemistry of 
the actinides in saturated KF solution. The areas 
examined were solubilities, absorption spectra, oxida-
tion-reduction reactions, and solid compounds which 
can be produced in the KF solution. The study in-
cludes work with neptunium, uranium, and americium. 
Results indicate that U(IV) is the only uranium 
oxidation state soluble in saturated KF solution; 
Np(lV), Np(V), Np(Vl), and Am(Ill) are soluble. Of 
the soluble Np species, Np(IV) is the most soluble 
and Np(Vl) is the least soluble. Absorption spectra 
were obtained for all these ions. 
The oxidation-reduction reactions of neptunium 
were studied. Four new neptunium complex fluorides 
were prepared and identified by x-ray powder pat-
terns as ct-K 2NpF 6, 3 1 -K 2NpF 6, KNp0 2 F 2, and 
K 3NpO2 F 5. Two additional compounds were pre-
pared, but not identified; these are a complex Np(1Il) 
fluoride and a complex Np(V) fluoride. 
The fluoride solvent was prepared by dissolving 
reagent grade KF in 99.8% D 20 for the neptunium 
studies and in H 20 for the uranium and americium 
work. D 20 solutions were used so that spectral 
measurements could be made in the near-infrared 
region. The saturated KF solution in D 20 is 12.4 M 
and in H 20 is 12.6M. 
The neptunium was purified by an anion column, 
and alpha pulse analysis showed no other species than 
Np . The uranium solutions were prepared from 
reagent grade UN H. A pulse analysis of the americium 
showed ed it to contain 47% Am and 53% Am by 
activity.
The reactions were carried out in Pyrex, quartz, and 
polycarbonate containers. There was very little attack 
upon the glass by fluoride ion. 
Notes: 
I. The study adds to the basic knowledge of chemis-
try. It may be useful for the preparation of vari-
ous materials from the salts of these actinides. 
2. The information may also be of interest to radio-
logists. 
3. Additional details are contained in Advances in 
Chemistry Series, no. 71, "Lanthanide/Actinide 
Chemistry", p. 256-267 (1967). 
4. Inquiries concerning this innovation may be di-
rected to:
Office of Industrial Cooperation 
Argonne National Laboratory 
9700 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Reference B69-10004 
Source: C. E. Thalmayer, D. Cohen 
Chemistry Division 
Argonne National Laboratory 
(ARG-10204) 
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for commercial use 
of this innovation may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439
Category 03 
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the Atomic 
Energy Commission and/or the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration. Neither the United States Government nor any per-
son acting on behalf of the United States Government assumes any
liability resulting from the use of the information contained in this 
document, or warrants that the use of any information, apparatus, 
method, or process disclosed in this document may not infringe pri-
vately owned rights.
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Study of actinide chemistry in saturated potassium fluoride solution

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