Complexation behavior of Eu(III), Tb(III), Tm(III), and Am(III) with three 1,10-phenanthroline-type ligands: insights from density functional theory

Abstract

Extraction complexes of Eu(III), Tb(III), Tm(III), and Am(III) with three 1,10-phenanthroline-type ligands have been studied, primarily using density functional theory (DFT). The same accuracies and optimized structural geometries were obtained whether optimization of the [ML₂(NO₃)]²⁺ complexes was performed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/RECP or the MP2/6-31G(d)/RECP level of theory. Calculations carried out at the B3LYP/6-311G(d, p)/RECP level of theory indicated that solvation does not favor the formation of these complexes. Moreover, the ΔG _g and ΔG _solv values for the reactions leading to the formation of [LnL₂(NO₃)]²⁺ complexes were seen to decrease with increasing atomic number of the lanthanide (from Eu to Tb to Tm). In addition, when a strongly hydrophobic benzo[e][1,2,4]triazine group was created in each ligand, ligand selectivity for actinides/lanthanides in acidic media improved. Even greater ligand selectivity for actinides/lanthanides in acidic media was obtained when a 5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine group was created in each ligand instead of a benzo[e][1,2,4]triazine group. Vibrational analysis and NMR spectroscopic analysis were also performed on all of the studied ligands and the metal complexes that included them. Further in-depth investigations should be undertaken in this field.