The Energy Landscape of Uranyl–Peroxide Species

Nanoscale uranyl peroxide clusters containing UO₂²⁺ groups bonded through peroxide bridges to form polynuclear molecular species (polyoxometalates) exist both in solution and in the solid state. There is an extensive family of clusters containing 28 uranium atoms (U₂₈ clusters), with an encapsulated anion in the center, for example, [UO₂(O₂)_3?x(OH)_x^4?], [Nb(O₂)₄^3?], or [Ta(O₂)₄^3?]. The negative charge of these clusters is balanced by alkali ions, both encapsulated, and located exterior to the cluster. The present study reports measurement of enthalpy of formation for two such U₂₈ compounds, one of which is uranyl centered and the other is peroxotantalate centered. The [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is energetically more stable than the [(UO₂)(O₂)₃]‐centered capsule. These data, along with our prior studies on other uranyl–peroxide solids, are used to explore the energy landscape and define thermochemical trends in alkali–uranyl–peroxide systems. It was suggested that the energetic role of charge‐balancing alkali ions and their electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged uranyl–peroxide species is the dominant factor in defining energetic stability. These experimental data were supported by DFT calculations, which agree that the [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is more stable than the uranyl‐centered capsule. Moreover, the relative stability is controlled by the interactions of the encapsulated alkalis with the encapsulated anion. Thus, the role of alkali‐anion interactions was shown to be important at all length scales of uranyl–peroxide species: in both comparing clusters to clusters; and clusters to monomers or extended solids.     

Rapid self-assembly of uranyl polyhedra into crown clusters

Clusters built from 32 uranyl peroxide polyhedra self-assemble and crystallize within 15 min after combining uranyl nitrate, ammonium hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution under ambient conditions. These novel crown-shaped clusters are remarkable in that they form so quickly, have extraordinarily low aqueous solubility, form with at least two distinct peroxide to hydroxyl ratios, and form in very high yield. The clusters, which have outer diameters of 23 ?, topologically consist of eight pentagons and four hexagons. Their rapid formation and low solubility in aqueous systems may be useful properties at various stages in an advanced nuclear energy system.     

An Unprecedented Two‐Fold Nested Super‐Polyrotaxane: Sulfate‐Directed Hierarchical Polythreading Assembly of Uranyl Polyrotaxane Moieties

The hierarchical assembly of well‐organized submoieties could lead to more complicated superstructures with intriguing properties. We describe herein an unprecedented polyrotaxane polythreading framework containing a two‐fold nested super‐polyrotaxane substructure, which was synthesized through a uranyl‐directed hierarchical polythreading assembly of one‐dimensional polyrotaxane chains and two‐dimensional polyrotaxane networks. This special assembly mode actually affords a new way of supramolecular chemistry instead of covalently linked bulky stoppers to construct stable interlocked rotaxane moieties. An investigation of the synthesis condition shows that sulfate can assume a vital role in mediating the formation of different uranyl species, especially the unique trinuclear uranyl moiety [(UO₂)₃O(OH)₂]²⁺, involving a notable bent [O=U=O] bond with a bond angle of 172.0(9)°. Detailed analysis of the coordination features, the thermal stability as well as a fluorescence, and electrochemical characterization demonstrate that the uniqueness of this super‐polyrotaxane structure is mainly closely related to the trinuclear uranyl moiety, which is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations.     

pH dependence of uranyl retention in a quartz/solution system: an XPS study

We have investigated the pH dependence of U(VI) retention in quartz/10(-4) M uranyl solution systems, under conditions favoring formation of polynuclear aqueous species and of colloids of amorphous schoepite as U(VI) solubility-limiting phases. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to gain insights into the coordination environments of sorbed/precipitated uranyl ions in the centrifuged quartz samples. The U4f XPS spectra made it possible to identify unambiguously the presence of two uranyl components. A high binding energy component, whose relative proportion increases with pH, exhibits the U4f lines characteristic of a reference synthetic metaschoepite. Such a high binding energy component is interpreted as a component having a U(VI) oxide hydrate character, either as polynuclear surface oligomers and/or as amorphous schoepite-like (surface) precipitates. Its pH dependence suggests that a binding of polynuclear species at quartz surfaces and/or a formation of amorphous schoepite-like (surface) precipitates is favored when the proportion of aqueous polynuclear species increases. A second surface component exhibits binding energies for the U4f core levels at values significantly lower (DeltaE(b)=1.2 eV) than for metaschoepite, evidencing uranyl ions in a distinct coordination environment. Such a low binding energy component may be attributed to monomeric uranyl surface complexes on the basis of published EXAFS data. Such a hypothesis is supported by a major contribution of the low binding energy component to the U4f XPS spectra of reference samples for uranyl sorbed on quartz from very acidic 10(-3) M uranyl solutions where UO(2)(2+) ions predominate.     

In Situ Generation of Organic Peroxide to Create a Nanotubular Uranyl Peroxide Phosphate

Current synthetic pathways for uranyl peroxide materials introduce high initial concentrations of aqueous H₂O₂ that decline over time. Alternatively, in situ generation of organic peroxide would maintain constant concentrations of peroxide over prolonged periods of time and open new pathways to novel uranyl peroxide compounds. Herein, we demonstrate this concept through the synthesis of a nanotube‐like uranyl peroxide phosphate ( NUPP ), Na₁₂[(UO₂)(μ‐O₂)(HPO₄)]₆(H₂O)₄₀, making use of the inhibited autoxidation of benzaldehyde in benzyl alcohol solutions in the presence of phosphonate ligands. The unique feature of NUPP is the bent dihedral angle U‐(μ‐O₂)‐U (123.9°±0.4° to 124.6°±0.5°), which allows hexameric uranyl peroxide macrocycles to adopt the nanotubular topology and prevents the formation of nanocapsules. Raman spectroscopy of the solution phase confirms our mechanistic understanding of the reaction pathway and confirms that consistent levels of peroxide are generated in situ over an extended period of time.     

Uranium association with corroding carbon steel surfaces

We investigated the association of uranium with clean and corroded surfaces of 1010 carbon steel. Studying steel contaminated by uranium species will have an important effect on the development of methods used to clean radioactively contaminated metal waste. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, synchrotron infrared microspectroscopy and laboratory‐based Fourier transform infrared analysis of steel surfaces exposed to uranyl nitrate showed the presence of crystallized hydrated uranyl oxides, uranyl hydroxides, iron oxyhydroxides and iron oxides. In general, heavily corroded areas physically shield the uranium species, which tended to associate spatially with hydroxyl groups and lepidocrocite. Lightly corroded areas contained uranium species with stronger axial U–O bonding. Infrared spectroscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy mapping analysis revealed that the uranium species are well distributed within the upper micron of the thick corrosion layer and associated more with areas of high hydroxide content. Parameters such as the concentration of uranyl nitrate solution used to expose the carbon steel coupons, the method of contamination (dipped or sprayed with dilute uranyl nitrate solution) and the degree of corrosion (accelerated corrosion before and/or after contamination) played significant roles in the distribution and nature of the uranyl hydroxide/iron oxyhydroxide corrosion products found on the surface of all coupons. These factors must be considered in the development and optimization of decontamination processes for metal waste. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of a uranyl persulfide complex and quantum chemical studies of formation and topologies of hypothetical uranyl persulfide cage clusters

The compound Na(4)[(UO(2))(S(2))(3)](CH(3)OH)(8) was synthesized at room temperature in an oxygen-free environment. It contains a rare example of the [(UO(2))(S(2))(3)](4-) complex in which a uranyl ion is coordinated by three bidentate persulfide groups. We examined the possible linkage of these units to form nanoscale cage clusters analogous to those formed from uranyl peroxide polyhedra. Quantum chemical calculations at the density functional and multiconfigurational wave function levels show that the uranyl-persulfide-uranyl, U-(S(2))-U, dihedral angles of model clusters are bent due to partial covalent interactions. We propose that this bent interaction will favor assembly of uranyl ions through persulfide bridges into curved structures, potentially similar to the family of nanoscale cage clusters built from uranyl peroxide polyhedra. However, the U-(S(2))-U dihedral angles predicted for several model structures may be too tight for them to self-assemble into cage clusters with fullerene topologies in the absence of other uranyl-ion bridges that adopt a flatter configuration. Assembly of species such as [(UO(2))(S(2))(SH)(4)](4-) or [(UO(2))(S(2))(C(2)O(4))(4)](4-) into fullerene topologies with ~60 vertices may be favored by use of large counterions.     

From extended solids to nano-scale actinide clusters

Selected highlights of more than a decade of research efforts concerning the structural chemistry of actinyl materials at the University of Notre Dame is reviewed, with an emphasis on complex topological arrangements of polyhedra to form extended structures and frameworks. Earlier work focused on structures of uranyl minerals and synthetic compounds, with increasing emphasis on neptunyl materials and the importance of cation–cation interactions in their structural details and properties. Much of the research over the past 5 years has examined a growing family of nano-scale clusters of uranyl peroxide polyhedra containing from 16 to 60 polyhedra. These clusters contain topological squares, pentagons and hexagons, and six have adopted fullerene topologies with 12 pentagons and an even number of hexagons.     

Complex nanoscale cage clusters built from uranyl polyhedra and phosphate tetrahedra

Five cage clusters that self-assemble in alkaline aqueous solution have been isolated and characterized. Each is built from uranyl hexagonal bipyramids with two or three equatorial edges occupied by peroxide, and three also contain phosphate tetrahedra. These clusters contain 30 uranyl polyhedra; 30 uranyl polyhedra and six pyrophosphate groups; 30 uranyl polyhedra, 12 pyrophosphate groups, and one phosphate tetrahedron; 42 uranyl polyhedra; and 40 uranyl polyhedra and three pyrophosphate groups. These clusters present complex topologies as well as a range of compositions, sizes, and charges. Two adopt fullerene topologies, and the others contain combinations of topological squares, pentagons, and hexagons. An analysis of possible topologies further indicates that higher-symmetry topologies are favored.     

Solid‐State Dynamics of Uranyl Polyoxometalates

Understanding fundamental uranyl polyoxometalate (POM) chemistry in solution and the solid state is the first step to defining its future role in the development of new actinide materials and separation processes that are vital to every step of the nuclear fuel cycle. Many solid‐state geometries of uranyl POMs have been described, but we are only beginning to understand their chemical behavior, which thus far includes the role of templates in their self‐assembly, and the dynamics of encapsulated species in solution. This study provides unprecedented detail into the exchange dynamics of the encapsulated species in the solid state through Magic Angle Spinning Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy. Although it was previously recognized that capsule‐like molybdate and uranyl POMs exchange encapsulated species when dissolved in water, analogous exchange in the solid state has not been documented, or even considered. Here, we observe the extremely high rate of transport of Li⁺ and aqua species across the uranyl shell in the solid state, a process that is affected by both temperature and pore blocking by larger species. These results highlight the untapped potential of emergent f‐block element materials and vesicle‐like POMs.     

Chemical equilibria in the uranyl(vi)-peroxide-carbonate system; identification of precursors for the formation of poly-peroxometallates

The focus of this study is on the identification of precursors in solution that might act as building blocks when solid uranyl(vi) poly-peroxometallate clusters containing peroxide and hydroxide bridges are formed. The precursors could be identified by using carbonate as an auxiliary ligand that prevented the formation of large clusters, such as the ones found in solids of fullerene type. Using data from potentiometric and NMR ((17)O and (13)C) experiments we identified the following complexes and determined their equilibrium constants: (UO(2))(2)(O(2))(CO(3))(4)(6-), UO(2)(O(2))CO(3)(2-), UO(2)(O(2))(CO(3))(2)(4-), (UO(2))(2)(O(2))(CO(3))(2)(2-), (UO(2))(2)(O(2))(2)(CO(3))(2-) and [UO(2)(O(2))(CO(3))](5)(10-). The NMR spectra of the pentamer show that all uranyl and carbonate sites are equivalent, which is only consistent with a ring structure built from uranyl units linked by peroxide bridges with the carbonate coordinated "outside" the ring; this proposed structure is very similar to [UO(2)(O(2))(oxalate)](5)(10-) identified by Burns et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2009, 131, 16648; Inorg. Chem., 2012, 51, 2403) in K(10)[UO(2)(O(2))(oxalate)](5)·(H(2)O)(13); similar ring structures where oxalate or carbonate has been replaced by hydroxide are important structure elements in solid poly-peroxometallate complexes. The equivalent uranyl sites in (UO(2))(2)(O(2))(2)(CO(3))(2-) suggest that the uranyl-units are linked by the carbonate ion and not by peroxide.     

Engineering Short Peptide Sequences for Uranyl Binding

Peptides are interesting tools to rationalize uranyl–protein interactions, which are relevant to uranium toxicity in vivo. Structured cyclic peptide scaffolds were chosen as promising candidates to coordinate uranyl thanks to four amino acid side chains pre‐oriented towards the dioxo cation equatorial plane. The binding of uranyl by a series of decapeptides has been investigated with complementary analytical and spectroscopic methods to determine the key parameters for the formation of stable uranyl–peptide complexes. The molar ellipticity of the uranyl complex at 195 nm is directly correlated to its stability, which demonstrates that the β‐sheet structure is optimal for high stability in the peptide series. Cyclodecapeptides with four glutamate residues exhibit the highest affinities for uranyl with log K_C=8.0–8.4 and, therefore, appear as good starting points for the design of high‐affinity uranyl‐chelating peptides.     

铀酰离子在羟基化α-石英(101)表面的吸附

采用周期性密度泛函理论研究羟基化α-石英（101）面的铀酰离子吸附行为. 通过对铀酰离子的水合作用考虑水溶剂对结构的短程溶剂化效应,并通过类导体屏蔽模型（COSMO）考虑水溶剂对结构的远程溶剂化效应. 吸附能计算结果和电子结构数据均表明水合铀酰离子吸附构型比氢氧化铀酰吸附构型稳定,并且在液相中两种类型的稳定吸附位均为dia-O_s1O_s2位. 两种形式在电子结构上有很大的差异,主要是由于铀与表面作用后成键强弱程度不同,使5f 轨道宽化和略微红移存在差异. 在铀酰离子吸附的基础上利用卤素离子改变铀酰离子配位环境可调整体系的带隙.     

Molecular dynamics simulation of uranyl(VI) adsorption equilibria onto an external montmorillonite surface

We used molecular dynamics simulations to study the adsorption of aqueous uranyl species (UO(2)(2+)) onto clay mineral surfaces in the presence of sodium counterions and carbonato ligands. The large system size (10,000 atoms) and long simulation times (10 ns) allowed us to investigate the thermodynamics of ion adsorption, and the atomistic detail provided clues for the observed adsorption behavior. The model system consisted of the basal surface of a low-charge Na-montmorillonite clay in contact with aqueous uranyl carbonate solutions with concentrations of 0.027 M, 0.081 M, and 0.162 M. Periodic boundary conditions were used in the simulations to better represent an aqueous solution interacting with an external clay surface. Uranyl adsorption tendency was found to decrease as the aqueous uranyl carbonate concentration was increased, while sodium adsorption remained constant. The observed behavior is explained by physical and chemical effects. As the ionic strength of the aqueous solution was increased, electrostatic factors prevented further uranyl adsorption once the surface charge had been neutralized. Additionally, the formation of aqueous uranyl carbonate complexes, including uranyl carbonato oligomers, contributed to the decreased uranyl adsorption tendency.     

Self‐Assembly of a 3d–5f Trinuclear Single‐Molecule Magnet from a Pentavalent Uranyl Complex

Mixed‐metal uranium compounds are very attractive candidates in the design of single‐molecule magnets (SMMs), but only one 3d–5f hetero‐polymetallic SMM containing a uranium center is known. Herein, we report two trimeric heterodimetallic 3d–5f complexes self‐assembled by cation–cation interactions between a uranyl(V) complex and a TPA‐capped M^II complex (M=Mn ( 1 ), Cd ( 2 ); TPA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine). The metal centers were strategically chosen to promote the formation of discrete molecules rather than extended chains. Compound 1 , which contains an almost linear {Mn? O?U?O? Mn} core, exhibits SMM behavior with a relaxation barrier of 81±0.5 K—the highest reported for a mono‐uranium system—arising from intramolecular Mn–U exchange interactions combined with the high Ising anisotropy of the uranyl(V) moiety. Compound 1 also exhibits an open magnetic hysteresis loop at temperatures less than 3 K, with a significant coercive field of 1.9 T at 1.8 K.     

Study of solvent extraction of <Superscript>114m</Superscript>In(III) using quinaldic acid into isoamyl alcohol

A complementary study of hydroxyl radical formation in the depleted uranium (DU)-hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) system and the effect of biosubstances on the system were examined using the spin-trapping method. Hydroxyl radical was formed in the uranyl ion (UO₂ ²⁺), 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) mixture solution. The pseudo first order rate constants of DMPO-OH formation were estimated to be 0.033 s⁻¹ for UO₂ ²⁺-H₂O₂-DMPO solution and 0.153 s⁻¹ for UO₂₊-H₂O₂-DMPO solution. The obtained results indicated that the hydroxyl radical formation in the UO₂ ²⁺-H₂O₂ solution could be described as a stepwise reaction process including the reduction of UO₂ ²⁺ to UO₂ ²⁺ by H₂O₂ and the Fenton-type reaction of UO₂ ⁺ with H₂O₂. Biosubstances, such as proteins, amino acids and saccharides, decreased the DMPO-OH formation, which was caused by the direct hydroxyl radical scavenging and the suppression of hydroxyl radical formation by coupling with uranyl ion.     

Structural studies of uranium and thorium complexes with 4,5-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenesdisulfonate (Tiron) at low and neutral pH by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

We have determined the structure of uranyl, UO(2)(2+), and Th(4+) complexes formed in aqueous solution with 4,5-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenedisulfonate (Tiron) as function of pH and concentration. At equimolar concentrations of 0.05 M UO(2)(2+) and Tiron, the predominant species was found to be aqueous uranyl at pH = 2.0. At pH = 6.0, the formation of a 3:3 UO(2)(2+):Tiron trimer (proposed in earlier studies) was observed. In this structure, bidentate catecholate complexation to Tiron as well as oxygen bridging between uranyl units is detected. Th(4+) structural changes were observed both as a function of pH and Th:L (L = Tiron) ratio. At Th:L = 1:1 and pH = 1.4, a monomeric complex is observed with each Th center complexing monodentate to approximately 2 sulfonate functional groups. At pH 4.0 similar sulfonate ligation is observed along with oligomer formation. At pH 6.0 thorium hydrolysis products are detected, with little evidence for inner-sphere Tiron coordination. When the Th:L is changed to 1:2 at pH = 6.0, a stable oligomeric complex is formed that dominates the speciation for Th:L ratios up to 1:5. This complex is characterized by bidentate catechol and monodentate sulfonate ligation to Tiron along with oxygen bridging between Th(4+) atoms and is consistent with the formation of the 2:3 Th:L polymeric species proposed from earlier work. At a Th:L ratio of 1:10, Th(4+) complexation is dominated by bidentate catechol ligation and the formation of a monomeric Th(Tiron)(x) species, where x > or = 2.     

Expanding the crystal chemistry of actinyl peroxides: open sheets of uranyl polyhedra in Na5[(UO2)3(O2)4(OH)3](H2O)13

A uranyl peroxide, Na5[(UO2)3(O2)4(OH)3](H2O)13, with an open sheet of uranyl polyhedra has been synthesized under ambient conditions and structurally characterized. The structure (orthorombic, Cmca, a = 23.632(1) A, b = 15.886(1) A, c = 13.952(1) A, V = 5237.7 A(3), and Z = 8) consists of sheets composed of two symmetrically unique uranyl (UO2)2+ ions that are coordinated equatorially by two peroxide groups and two OH(-) groups, forming distorted uranyl hexagonal bipyramids of composition (UO2)(O2)2(OH)2(4-). The uranyl bipyramids are connected into sheets with openings with dimensions 13.7 A along [010] and 15.9 A along [100]. The shortest dimension of the cavity is 8.08 A. Sheets of two-dimensionally polymerized uranyl polyhedra are the most common structural type of inorganic uranyl phases; however, such an open topology has never been observed.     

Radiation synthesis and uranyl‐ion adsorption of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/maleic acid) hydrogels

A new kind of copolymeric hydrogel adsorbent containing hydrophilic groups that both provides swelling in water and chelates with uranyl ions was synthesized, and its adsorptive ability for recovering uranium from aqueous media was investigated. The uranyl adsorption capacities of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate/maleic acid) hydrogels were determined with a polarographic technique to be 3.2–4.8 (mg UO/g dry gel) from a 15‐ppm uranyl nitrate solution at pH, 6 depending on the molar content of maleic acid in the hydrogel. Adsorption studies showed that other stimuli, the temperature, and the ionic strength of the solution also have important roles in the uranyl‐ion adsorption capacity of these hydrogels. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 277–283, 2001     

In situ FT-IR studies on mechanistics of heterogeneous photocatalytic oxidation of ethene over uranyl species anchored on MCM-41

The uranyl species encapsulated within the mesopores of siliceous MCM-41 serves as efficient heterogeneous photo-catalyst for the sunlight-assisted direct oxidation of ethene. The mode of oxidation is through abstraction of H-atom from ethene by the photolytically excited uranyl species and the consequent formation of peroxy species. The in situ IR spectroscopy results indicate that these peroxy species give rise to final products such as carbon dioxide and water on further oxidation via formation of formate-type transient species. Furthermore, the silanol groups of the host matrix help in immobilization of these peroxy species through hydrogen bonding and, at the same time, they participate in the subsequent oxidation reactions also.