The Identification and Degradation of Isosaccharinic Acid, a Cellulose Degradation Product

Thermodynamics of Np(IV) complexes with gluconic acid under alkaline conditions: sorption studies

The complexation of Np(IV) with gluconic acid (GLU) under alkaline conditions was investigated in the absence of Ca by carrying out a series of sorption experiments. The decrease of Np(IV) sorption on the sorbing material at increasing concentrations of GLU was interpreted as the formation of Np(IV)-GLU aqueous complexes. The modelling of experimental data according to the Schubert method [1] confirmed the formation of a complex with a Np : GLU ratio 1 : 1. The stoichiometry of the complex Np(OH)4GLU− was proposed based on the experimental observation that no proton exchange occurred during the course of the complexation reaction and that Np(OH)4(aq) was the predominant hydrolysis product in the absence of GLU. A log * β 1,4,1 0 = −2.92 ± 0.30 for the formation reaction Np4+ + 4H2O + GLU−⇔Np(OH)4GLU− + 4H+ was calculated based on the conditional stability constants determined from sorption experiments and using the Np(IV) thermodynamic data selected in the NEA reviews [2].

Linear free energy relationships (LFER) confirmed that the stoichiometry and stability of the Np(IV)-GLU complex characterized in this work are consistent with data available for Th(IV)-, U(IV)- and Pu(IV)-GLU complexes.

Stability constants of uranium(IV)-α-isosaccharinic acid and gluconic acid complexes

Conditional and pH independent stability constants have been determined for U(IV) α-isosaccharinic acid (ISA) and gluconic acid (Gl) complexes, under anaerobic and carbonate-free conditions, from pH 3 to 14. The constants are needed for nuclear waste repository performance assessment purposes. The constants were obtained by developing an approach based on the solubility product of amorphous UO2·2H2O. The derived pH independent log β values for U(OH)4ISA and U(OH)4Gl were 49±2 and 50±1 respectively.

Complex formation of Tb3+ with glycolate, D-gluconate and α-isosaccharinate in neutral aqueous perchlorate solutions

An electromigration technique was used for measurements of metal-ligand formation constants of non-carrier-free 160Tb3+ with glycolate, D-gluconate and α-isosaccharinate ligands. The overall ion mobilities of Tb at different concentrations of the ligands were measured in chemically inert perchlorate solutions (pH 7 and T= 298.1K) with an overall ionic strength μ = 0.1. The stepwise stoichiometric stability constants are: Tb3+/glycolate: log K 1=2.72(18), log K 2=1.73(19), log K 3= 1.12(17), Tb3+/D-gluconate: log K 1=2.96(11), log K 2=2.60(11), log K 3=1.13(9), Tb3+/α-ISA: log K 1=3.07(8), log K 2 = 2.69(11), log K 3 = 1.80(12).

Complexation of Th(IV) and Eu(III) by α-isosaccharinic acid under alkaline conditions

The complexation of Th(IV) and Eu(III) by α-isosaccharinic acid (ISA) has been studied in the pH range from 10.7 to 13.3 by batch sorption experiments, and the influence of Ca on the complexation was investigated. Sixteen data sets – each determined at variable ISA concentrations – are used to determine the stoichiometry of the complexation reactions and the stability constants. Based on best-fit analysis of the sorption data, it is postulated that 1:1 Th:ISA complexes are formed in the absence of Ca according to the complexation reaction: Th+ISA↔(ThISA)-4H+4H with logK=-10.1 atI=0.3 M. In the presence of Ca, the sorption data can be interpreted best by a mixed-metal complex, according to the complexation reaction: Th+2ISA+Ca↔(Th(ISA)2Ca)-4H+4H with logKCa=-3.6 atI=0.3 M. There are no indications that Ca participates in complexes of ISA with Eu. The sorption data suggest that 1:1 Eu:ISA complexes are dominant in the pH range from 10.7 to 13.3 according to the complexation reaction: Eu+ISA↔(EuISA)-4H+4H with logK=-30.6 atI= 0.3 M. It is important to note that the stoichiometric numbers and stability constants proposed here are not independent of the hydrolysis reactions of the two metal cations. Thus, the same hydrolysis data as used here have to be applied in speciation calculations with the ISA complexation data for Eu(III) and Th(IV).

Complexation of Ni(II) by α-isosaccharinic acid and gluconic acid from pH 7 to pH 13

Nickel reactions with gluconic acid (Gl) and α-isosaccharinic acid (ISA) have been investigated from pH 7 to pH 13.3. Measurement of the stoichiometries of the products of these reactions showed that NiGl and NiISA were formed at pH<7, Ni2Gl(OH)3 and Ni2ISA(OH)3 were formed at pH values between 7 and 10 and Ni2Gl(OH)4 and Ni2ISA(OH)4 were formed at pH>10. The stability constants for the formation of the soluble complexes were measured using an ion exchange resin method (Schubert method) at pH 7 and 13.3, and differential pulse polarography at pH 7. The polarographic measurements were performed in order to check the validity of the Schubert method at pH 7. This was due to the possibility of any cationic complexes that may have been formed sorbing to the resin. The importance of determining the stoichiometry of the reactions before calculating the stability constants from measurements taken using the Schubert method is emphasised.

Review of the complexation of tetravalent actinides by ISA and gluconate under alkaline to hyperalkaline conditions

Isosaccharinic (ISA) and gluconic acids (GLU) are polyhydroxy carboxylic compounds showing a high affinity to metal complexation. Both organic ligands are expected in the cementitious environments usually considered for the disposal of low- and intermediate-level radioactive wastes. The hyperalkaline conditions imposed by cementitious materials contribute to the formation of ISA through cellulose degradation, whereas GLU is commonly used as a concrete additive. Despite the high stability attributed to ISA/GLU complexes of tetravalent actinides, the number and reliability of available experimental studies is still limited. This work aims at providing a general and comprehensive overview of the state of the art regarding Th, U(IV), Np(IV), and Pu(IV) complexes with ISA and GLU. In the presence of ISA/GLU concentrations in the range 10(-5)-10(-2) M and absence of calcium, An(IV)(OH)x(L)y complexes (An(IV)=Th, U(IV), Np(IV), Pu(IV); L=ISA, GLU) are expected to dominate the aqueous speciation of tetravalent actinides in the alkaline pH range. There is a moderate agreement among their stability, although the stoichiometry of certain An(IV)-GLU complexes is still ill-defined. Under hyperalkaline conditions and presence of calcium, the species CaTh(OH)4(L)2(aq) has been described for both ISA and GLU, and similar complexes may be expected to form with other tetravalent actinides. In the present work, the available thermodynamic data for An(IV)-ISA/GLU complexes have been reviewed and re-calculated to ensure the internal consistency of the stability constants assessed. Further modelling exercises, estimations based on Linear Free-Energy Relationships (LFER) among tetravalent actinides, as well as direct analogies between ISA and GLU complexes have also been performed. This approach has led to the definition of a speciation scheme for the complexes of Th, U(IV), Np(IV) and Pu(IV) with ISA and GLU forming in alkaline to hyperalkaline pH conditions, both in the absence and presence of calcium.

Degradation of cellulose under alkaline conditions: new insights from a 12 years degradation study

Cellulose degradation under alkaline conditions is of relevance to the mobility of many cations of the transition metal, lanthanide, and actinide series in the geosphere because strong complexants such as isosaccharinic acids, 3-deoxy-2-C-hydroxymethyl-D-erythro-pentonic acid (alpha-ISA) and 3-deoxy-2-C-hydroxymethyl-D-threo-pentonic acid (beta-ISA) may be formed. In the context of the long-term safety of cementitious repositories for low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste, where large amounts of cellulose may be present, the question of the time scales needed for the complete degradation of cellulose is important. The present paper reports the results of a 12 year study of the degradation of four different cellulosic materials (pure cellulose, tissue, cotton, paper) in an artificial cement pore water under anaerobic conditions at approximately 25 degrees C. The observed reaction characteristics can be divided into a fast reaction phase (2-3 years), dominated by the stepwise conversion of terminal glucose monomeric units to alpha-ISA and beta-ISA, and a very slow reaction phase during which the same products were found. The slow rate of the alkaline degradation of cellulose during this second reaction phase shows that previous kinetic models of cellulose degradation did not adequately describe the long-term behavior under alkaline conditions and need to be reassessed. It is postulated that a previously unknown mechanism by which crystalline or inaccessible reducing end groups of the polysaccharide chain become temporarily susceptible to alkaline attack is responsible for the slow rate of cellulose degradation.