Design, synthesis and evaluation of carbamoylmethylphosphine sulfide (CMPS)-based chelates for separation of lanthanides and actinides

C3-symmetric triphenoxymethane platforms were substituted with carbamoylmethylphosphine sulfide arms and these tris-CMPS compounds were evaluated as extractants for f-element metal ions from 1 M nitric acid solution. Their properties were compared to the carbamoylmethylphosphine oxide derivatives on the same triphenoxymethane platform (tris-CMPO). The terbium complex of tris-CMPS was crystallized and examined via X-ray structural analysis to provide valuable insight into the binding properties of the soft tripodal chelate.