Studies of the chemical properties of the transactinide elements (Z = 104) have always been difficult due to the short half-lives of the nuclides and the low nuclear cross sections involved. To solve this problem, atom-at-a-time methods have been used to determine the properties of short-lived isotopes. Extremely fast kinetics for the chemical reactions studied (on the same order as the nuclide's half-life) are required and the chemical system should also have potential for automation. One particular separation technique, extraction chromatography, shows promise for the investigation of the chemical properties of element 104, rutherfordium, without the solvent waste generated in liquid-liquid extractions. A fast systematic study involving the use of a ligand with a high inner group selectivity is necessary to learn more about element 104. Utilizing the homologs of rutherfordium, zirconium and hafnium, studies can be performed using liquid-liquid extractions and extraction chromatography. From literature reviews, thiacrown ethers, tertiary amines, and calixarenes show promise in extracting group 4 elements. The development of an extraction system for rutherfordium based on these extractants can further elaborate on its properties.The goal of this research is the evaluation of these ligands to establish their suitability for future studies with rutherfordium. The ligands are tested in batch experiment with 89Zr and 175Hf and various concentrations of mineral acids to elucidate trend in extraction behavior.

Development of a chemical system for rutherfordium

248th National Meeting (2014)

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