Open AccessORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN FISSION REACTORS. II. THORIO-ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
Author(s) -
W. H. Baldwin
Publication year - 1960
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/4191196
Subject(s) - dibenzoylmethane , solubility , chemistry , fission products , thorium , inorganic chemistry , organic synthesis , organic chemistry , uranium , radiochemistry , materials science , catalysis , metallurgy
The advantages of the use of organic liquids in fission reactors to minmize corrosion and pressure problems were studied relative to the solution of thorium in such fluids. Thorio-organic compounds were prepared from organic acids, diketones, and other chelating compounds. Salts of carboxylic and phospho- organic acids were insoluble. The chelate with dibenzoylmethane was soluble in molten biphenyl but was decomposed at 300 deg C. The general low solubility of thorio-organic compounds in nonpolar solvents can be explained by steric effects. The large thorium atom has the ability to form strong coordination complexes with adjacent molecules, leading to coordination polymers. The effect can be minimized by shielding the thorium nucleus with large organic groups such as dibenzoylmethane. The large, branched organic groups needed to impart solubility limit the maximum solubility. (auth