Bis-crown calix [4]arenes, their preparation process and their use for the selective extraction of cesium and actinides

Abstract

The invention relates to bis-crown calix[4]arenes, their preparation process and their use for the selective extraction of cesium and actinides. Bis-crown calix[4]arenes are in accordance with the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 respectively represent X(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 X).sub.m and X(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 X).sub.n with X.dbd.O, NH and/or N(CH.sub.3), m and n=3, 4, 5 or 6, or X (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 X).sub.p/2 XY(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 X).sub.p/2 with p=2 or 4 and Y=cycloalkylene or arylene. These bis-crown calix[4]arenes, whose benzene nuclei are optionally substituted by alkyl groups, can be used as an extracant, e.g. in the form of a liquid membrane, for separating cesium from acid solutions containing sodium in a large quantity compared with the cesium quantity, e.g. effluents of irradiated fuel reprocessing plants.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.