Nuclear chemical transformations of ytterbium and lutetium radionuclides following (n,γ) and beta decay reactions in Tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyle-3,5-heptanedionato)Yb(III)

The behavior of recoiled radionuclides 169Yb, 175Yb, and 177Lu resulting from the reactions 168Yb(n,γ)169Yb, 174Yb(n,γ)175Yb, and 176Yb(n,γ)177Yb→177Lu, respectively, in the organometallic Tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyle-3,5-heptanedionato)Yb(III) compound was investigated. Paper chromatography as well as thin layer chromatography, using different patterns of solvents and developers, are discussed. It was found that the organic and inorganic species were of different types and the species resulting from (n,γ) differed from those resulting from β-decay. The species resulting from β-decay reaction were little affected by the type of paper chromatography, while those resulting from (n,γ) reaction were not affected at all. The retention depended on the type of paper and the pattern of solvent/developer. Paper chromatography gave the best results when the compound was dissolved and developed in toluene. The retention values of 177Lu in three different cases were determined. The obtained retention values indicated that the compound under investigation was not suitable for the purpose of high specific activity radioisotope production.

► Behavior of recoiled radionuclides 169Yb, 175Yb and 177Lu was investigated.
► Paper chromatography and thin layer chromatography were discussed.
► Retention depended on the type of paper and the pattern of solvent/developer.