Synthesis of α-Sulfinyl-Butylacetates and Extraction of U(Ⅵ)

Three new extractants, α-sulfinyl-butylacetates (SBAB), were synthesized and were used to extracting U(Ⅵ) from nitric acid. Experiments were performed by selecting diluents, changing the concentrations of the nitric acid and extractants and temperature. The results show that all these compounds can efficiently extract UO₂²⁺ from nitric acid, which is much better for alkyl substituents than for aryl group. The extraction reactions are exothermal.