SOLUTION AND SEPARATION OF TRANSPLUTONIUM ELEMENTS IN UNUSUAL OXIDATION-STATES USING ION-EXCHANGERS AND MINERAL ACIDS

The behavior on anion and cation exchangers of transplutonium elements and other actinides in addition to certain fission products in HNO3, H2SO(phi) and H3PO4 in the presence of oxidants and in HCl in the pres ence of reductants is studied as a function of acid concentration, con centration and nature of oxidant (reductant), type of ion exchanger, a nd other factors. Effective methods for separating Bk(IV), Am(VI), and Md(II) from a large number of other elements using ion exchangers and mineral acids are based on the results and literature data. The possi bility of preparing isotopically pure Cf-249, Pr-144, Bk-250, and Np-2 39 from their parent radionuclides Bk-249, Ce-144, Es-254, and Am-243, respectively, using chromatographic generators is demonstrated.