Project Description

The diverse properties of the phosphine oxides (R3P=O) and their complexes with f-block elements demonstrate the scope and complexity of these systems. The complexing tendency of these phosphine oxides depends on the basicity of the phosphoryl group and nature of the substituents attached around the P=O group. This project is aimed at synthesizing and studying a variety of molecules from this family of compounds and understand the role of these parameters in the selective extraction of lanthanides and actinides. The probing of these critical features is necessary for improving the efficiency of extractants and thereby improving the selectivity of separations. In this regard, the present proposal describes the synthesis of phosphine oxides (R3P=O, where R = alkyl or aryl), including the corresponding chiral phosphine oxides. Also, a series of new symmetrical and asymmetrical phosphinates of the type R2P(O)(OR), the chiral phosphonates of the type RP(O)(OR)2, phosphoramides such as aminophosphine oxides (R3-nP(O)(NR’2)n) possessing direct P-N bond, and α-amino phosphonates ((RO)2P(O)CH2(NR’2)) (where R = R’ = alkyl or aryl) will be synthesized and their coordination behaviour will be evaluated and the extraction of f-metals will be carried out. It is also proposed to synthesize highly porous polyurethane foam materials grafted with P=O and N-donor sites for the efficient extraction of f block elements. It is anticipated that these phosphine oxide molecules and materials will provide a platform for diversified functions Perhaps the most striking manifestations of flexibility of these multi-donor systems are either the facile simultaneous extraction or selective task-specific extraction of lanthanides and actinides.