Spectroscopic study of the uranyl-acetohydroxamate adduct with tributyl phosphate.

The ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic studies carried out for the system UO2(NO3)/AHA/TBP (uranyl-acetohydroxamate-tributyl phosphate) confirmed the presence of the adduct of UO2(NO3)(AHA) 2TBP with 1:1 stoichiometry for UO2:AHA (acetohydroxamic acid). The spectrum of this complex is identical to the infrared spectrum of the organic phase formed in the uranium distribution experiments with 30% TBP/n-dodecane and AHA present in aqueous phase. Disappearance of the hydroxyl stretching band and a shift in the position of the carbonyl band in the infrared spectra revealed that both the hydroxyl and the carbonyl group of acetohydroxamic acid are involved in the chelate ring with uranium. Also, acetic acid, accrued after acidic hydrolysis of acetohydroxamic acid, was identified in the extraction organic phase.