Advances in boron-10 isotope separation by chemical exchange distillation

Advances in boron-10 isotope separation by chemical exchange distillation are reviewed in this article. With a brief introduction of the principle of the separation, the progress on the research of this method and the problems relating to the separation coefficient are discussed. Several new donors, including nitromethane, acetone, methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) and diisobutyl ketone (DIBK), which have large separation factors are introduced. The complexes of these new donors and boron trifluoride (BF3) are more stable than those of using the donors examined before. Among these new donors nitromethane could be a promising substitute for donors in present use to develop new technology of separating boron-10.