Structure and hydrolysis of the U(IV), U(V), and U(VI) aqua ions from ab initio molecular simulations

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at 300 K, based on density functional theory, are performed to study the hydration shell geometries, solvent dipole, and first hydrolysis reaction of the uranium(IV) (U(4+)) and uranyl(V) (UO(2)(+)) ions in aqueous solution. The solvent dipole and first hydrolysis reaction of aqueous uranyl(VI) (UO(2)(2+)) are also probed. The first shell of U(4+) is coordinated by 8-9 water ligands, with an average U-O distance of 2.42 ?. The average first shell coordination number and distance are in agreement with experimental estimates of 8-11 and 2.40-2.44 ?, respectively. The simulated EXAFS of U(4+) matches well with recent experimental data. The first shell of UO(2)(+) is coordinated by five water ligands in the equatorial plane, with the average U═O(ax) and U-O distances being 1.85 ? and 2.54 ?, respectively. Overall, the hydration shell structure of UO(2)(+) closely matches that of UO(2)(2+), except for small expansions in the average U═O(ax) and U-O distances. Each ion strongly polarizes their respective first-shell water ligands. The computed acidity constants (pK(a)) of U(4+) and UO(2)(2+) are 0.93 and 4.95, in good agreement with the experimental values of 0.54 and 5.24, respectively. The predicted pK(a) value of UO(2)(+) is 8.5.     

Ab initio X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of the solvation structure of Th(IV), U(IV), and Np(IV) in aqueous solution

The coordination structures of U(IV), Np(IV), and Th(IV) in aqueous solution have been determined by studying the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) of the actinide (An) L(3)-edge absorption spectra. The high sensitivity of XANES to the bonding geometry provides an unambiguous determination of the coordination polyhedron. On the basis of the comparison of ab initio computations with the experimental data we conclude that the hydration sphere of the three An(IV) aqua-ions studied is best modeled by 9 water molecules forming a tricapped trigonal prism.     

Structure of the Aqua Ions and Fluoride Complexes of Uranium(IV) and Thorium(IV) in Aqueous Solution an EXAFS Study

The structures of aqueous M(4+)(aq) and MF(3+)(aq), where M is uranium(IV) or thorium(IV), have been determined by L(III) edge EXAFS using data from solutions of 1.5 M HClO(4) in which the M(IV) concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 0.3 M. A least-squares refinement of the data for the aqua ions indicated 10.8 +/- 0.5 water molecules in the first hydration sphere of both ions and M-O bond distances for U(IV) and Th(IV) of 2.42 +/- 0.01 and 2.45 +/- 0.01 ?, respectively. By considering both previous structure information and the EXAFS data, we selected N = 10 +/- 1 as the most likely coordination number of both M(IV) aqua ions. EXAFS measurements from acidic aqueous uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) solutions containing fluoride show that large changes in the first coordination sphere occur. The experimental data indicates an asymmetrical distribution of the distances, probably as a result of differing M-F and M-O bond lengths. These can be described by a model that contains two different bond distances, one M-F distance at 2.10 ? and one M-O distance at 2.45 ? for U(IV); for Th(IV), the corresponding distances are 2.14 and 2.48 ?. The total coordination number in this model is unchanged from the aqua ions, i.e., 10 +/- 1.     

Quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical simulations of the Tl(III) ion in water

Classical molecular dynamics (MD) and combined quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) MD simulations have been performed to investigate the structural and dynamical properties of the Tl(III) ion in water. A six-coordinate hydration structure with a maximum probability of the Tl-O distance at 2.21 A was observed, which is in good agreement with X-ray data. The librational and vibrational spectra of water molecules in the first hydration shell are blue-shifted compared with those of pure liquid water, and the Tl-O stretching force constant was evaluated as 148 Nm(-1). Both structural and dynamical properties show a distortion of the first solvation shell structure. The second shell ligands' mean residence time was determined as 12.8 ps. The Tl(III) ion can be classified as "structure forming" ion; the calculated hydration energy of -986 +/- 9 kcal mol agrees well with the experimental value of -986 kcal mol.     

Carbonate extraction-based refining of uranium. Separation of U(VI), Ce(IV), and Ln(III) from aqueous carbonate solutions with methyltrioctylammonium carbonate

The extraction of U(VI), Ce(IV), La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), and Y(III) from an aqueous solution of Na₂CO₃ (0.25 mol/L) resulting from oxidative dissolution of U(IV) in the presence of H₂O₂ into a solution of methyltrioctylammonium carbonate (0.25 mol/L) in toluene. It was found that β_{U(VI)/Ln(III)} values vary from ~8 to 3290 as the O : W ratio changes from 2 : 1 to 10 : 1, while β_U(VI)/Ce(IV) varies from ~1.5 to 10, which allows for the extraction separation of U(VI) from Ce(IV) in a 8- to 10-stage counter-current extraction cascade and from Ln(III) in 2- to 3-stage cascade under the same conditions.     

Oxidation state delineation via U L(III)-edge XANES in a series of isostructural uranium coordination complexes

We present an X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) study of a series of uranium coordination complexes that possess nearly identical first coordination spheres and geometries in a range of oxidation states from U(III) to U(VI). These compounds were obtained through the activation of small molecules, such as ketones, azides, and carbon dioxide, and upon oxidation of a high-valent U(V)≡O to [U(VI)≡O](+). Most of the compounds have been reported previously. All of them are fully characterized and their oxidation states have been confirmed by various spectroscopic methods (SQUID, (1)H NMR, and UV/vis/near-IR). Each uranium complex consists of a triazacyclononane anchor bearing three aryloxide side arms with bulky tert-butyl (t-Bu) or adamantyl (Ad) ortho substituents. All complexes have approximate C(3) symmetry and possess an axial cavity that is either empty (U(III)) or occupied by a seventh ligand, namely, terminal oxygen (U(V) and U(VI)) or an oxygen-containing ligand (U(IV)). The only exception is [(((t-Bu)ArO)(3)tacnU(VI)(O)][SbF(6)], which is the rare case of a complex that shows a strong inverse trans influence. The determined correlation between the uranium oxidation state and the U L(III)-edge XANES absorption in this series includes a single terminal oxo ligand bonded uranium(V,VI), for which data are essentially nonexistent. The correct assignment of the uranium valence in a U(IV)-L(?-) compound (L(?-) = ketyl radical) is shown to be only possible by a comparison to structurally similar compounds.     

Uranium(III)/(IV) nitrile adducts including UI4(N[triple bond]CPh)4, a synthetically useful uranium(IV) complex

The synthesis of complexes used to elucidate an understanding of fundamental An(III) and An(IV) coordination chemistry requires the development of suitable organic-soluble precursors. The reaction of oxide-free uranium metal turnings with 1.3 equivalents of elemental iodine in acetonitrile provided the U(III)/U(IV) complex salt, [U(N[triple bond]CMe)9][UI6][I] (1), in which the U(III) cation is surrounded by nine acetonitrile molecules in a tricapped trigonal prismatic arrangement, a [UI6]2- counterion, and a noncoordinating iodide. The U-N distances for the prismatic and capping nitrogens are 2.55(3) and 2.71(5) A, respectively. The same reaction performed in benzonitrile afforded crystalline UI4(N[triple bond]CPh)4 (3) in 78% isolated yield. In the solid state, 3 shows an eight-coordinate U(IV) atom in a "puckered" square antiprismatic geometry with U-N and U-I distances of 2.56(1) and 3.027(1) A, respectively. This benzonitrile UI4 adduct is a versatile U(IV) synthon that is soluble in methylene chloride, benzonitrile, and tetrahydrofuran, and moderately soluble in toluene and benzene, but decomposes in benzonitrile at 198 degrees C to [UI(N[triple bond]CPh)8][UI]6 (4), a U(III)/U(IV) salt analogous to 1. A toluene slurry of 3 treated with 2.2 equiv of Cp*MgCl.THF (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienide) provided Cp*2UI2(N[triple bond]CPh) (5) in low yields. Single-crystal X-ray structure determination shows that the iodide ligands in 5 are in a rare cis configuration with an acute I-U-I angle of 83.16(7) degrees . Treatment of a methylene chloride solution of 3 with KTp* (Tp* = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolylborate)) formed green TpUI3 (6) which was converted to yellow Tp*UI3(N[triple bond]CMe) (7) by rinsing with acetonitrile. Addition of 2.2 equiv of KTp* to a toluene solution of 3 followed by heating at 95 degrees C, filtration, and crystallization led to the isolation of the dinuclear species [Tp*UI(dmpz)]2[mu-O] (9) (dmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolide), presumably formed by hydrolytic cleavage of excess KTp* by adventitious water. The Tp* complexes 6, 7, and 9 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR, FT-IR, and optical absorbance spectroscopies.     

Synthesis of a phosphorano-stabilized U(IV)-carbene via one-electron oxidation of a U(III)-ylide adduct

Addition of the Wittig reagent Ph(3)P═CH(2) to the U(III) tris(amide) U(NR(2))(3) (R = SiMe(3)) generates a mixture of products from which the U(IV) complex U═CHPPh(3)(NR(2))(3) (2) can be obtained. Complex 2 features a short U═C bond and represents a rare example of a uranium carbene. In solution, 2 exists in equilibrium with the U(IV) metallacycle U(CH(2)SiMe(2)NR)(NR(2))(2) and free Ph(3)P═CH(2). Measurement of this equilibrium as a function of temperature provides ΔH(rxn) = 11 kcal/mol and ΔS(rxn) = 31 eu. Additionally, the electronic structure of the U═C bond was investigated using DFT analysis.     

EXAFS investigation of U(VI), U(IV), and Th(IV) sulfato complexes in aqueous solution

The local structure of U(VI), U(IV), and Th(IV) sulfato complexes in aqueous solution was investigated by U-L(3) and Th-L(3) EXAFS spectroscopy for total sulfate concentrations 0.05 < or = [SO(4)(2-)] < or = 3 M and 1.0 < or = pH < or = 2.6. The sulfate coordination was derived from U-S and Th-S distances and coordination numbers. The spectroscopic results were combined with thermodynamic speciation and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. In equimolar [SO(4)(2-)]/[UO(2)(2+)] solution, a U-S distance of 3.57 +/- 0.02 Angstrom suggests monodentate coordination, in line with UO(2)SO(4)(aq) as the dominant species. With increasing [SO(4)(2-)]/[UO(2)(2+)] ratio, an additional U-S distance of 3.11 +/- 0.02 Angstrom appears, suggesting bidentate coordination in line with the predominance of the UO(2)(SO(4))(2)(2-) species. The sulfate coordination of Th(IV) and U(IV) was investigated at [SO(4)(2-)]/[M(IV)] ratios > or = 8. The Th(IV) sulfato complex comprises both, monodentate and bidentate coordination, with Th-S distances of 3.81 +/- 0.02 and 3.14 +/- 0.02 Angstrom, respectively. A similar coordination is obtained for U(IV) sulfato complexes at pH 1 with monodentate and bidentate U-S distances of 3.67 +/- 0.02 and 3.08 +/- 0.02 Angstrom, respectively. By increasing the pH value to 2, a U(IV) sulfate precipitates. This precipitate shows only a U-S distance of 3.67 +/- 0.02 Angstrom in line with a monodentate linkage between U(IV) and sulfate. Previous controversially discussed observations of either monodentate or bidentate sulfate coordination in aqueous solutions can now be explained by differences of the [SO(4)(2-)]/[M] ratio. At low [SO(4)(2-)]/[M] ratios, the monodentate coordination prevails, and bidentate coordination becomes important only at higher ratios.     

The effect of previous gamma-irradiation on the extraction of U(VI), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Eu(III) and Am(III) by various amides

The extraction behavior of U(VI), Th(IV), Zr(IV), Eu(III) and Am(III) from 3.5M nitric acid with a series of gamma-pre-irradiated symmetrical and unsymmetrical monoamides in benzene has been investigated up to a dose of 100 Mrad. The results indicated that the radiolytic stability is influenced by the structure of amides. Symmetrical monoamides seem to be less affected by radiation compared with unsymmetrical monoamides. Infrared studies identify the final products of radiolysis as the respective carboxylic acids and amines. The radiolytic degradation of the investigated monoamides has been estimated by quantitative IR spectroscopy. Extraction data obtained under similar experimental conditions for U(VI), Th(IV) and Zr(IV) with the TBP/benzene system have also been compared. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Practical synthetic routes to solvates of U(OTf)3: X-ray crystal structure of [U(OTf)3(MeCN)3]n, a unique U(III) coordination polymer

The reaction of UH3 or U metal with triflic acid results in the formation of a mixture of species including U(OTf)4 and leads to the reproducible isolation of the mononuclear U(IV) hydroxo complex [U(OTf)3(OH)(py)4] (1) and the U(IV) dinuclear mu-oxo-complex [{U(OTf)2(py)3}2{mu-O}{mu-OTf}2] (2). The X-ray crystal structures of these complexes have been determined. Analytically pure complex 1 can be prepared in a 17-27% yield providing a good precursor for the synthesis and study of the reactivity of the hydroxo complexes with different coordination environments. Two practical synthetic methods for the preparation of Lewis base adducts of U(OTf)3 are described. Analytically pure [U(OTf)3(py)4] (4) was easily and reproducibly prepared (50-60% yield) by protonolysis of the amide U{N(SiMe3)2}3 with pyridinium triflate in pyridine. Salt metathesis of UI3(thf)4 with potassium triflate in acetonitrile resulted in the complete substitution of the iodide counterions by triflate producing the acetonitrile solvate [U(OTf)3(MeCN)3]n (3). The solid-state structure of 3 shows the formation of a unique U(III) coordination polymer in which the metal ions are connected by three triflates acting as bidentate bridging ligands to form a 1D chain.     

Synthetic Strategies To Obtain V-P-O Open Frameworks Containing Organic Species as Structural Directing Agents. Crystal Structure of the V(IV)-Fe(III) Bimetallic Phosphate [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)][Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O

A general synthetic approach to rationalize the solution preparative chemistry of oxovanadium phosphates containing organic species as structural directing agents is presented. Careful attention is payed to the hydrolysis and condensation processes involving the ionic species in solution, and a simple restatement of the partial charge model (PCM) has been used in order to organize the experimental results. The structure of a new V(IV)-Fe(III) bimetallic oxovanadium phosphate, [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)] [Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O, has been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction methods. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n and the cell dimensions are as follows: a = 14.383(3) ?, b = 10.150(2) ?, c = 18.355(4) ?, and beta = 90.39(3) degrees (Z = 2). The existence of a complex intercrossing channel system, including a very large channel of 18.4 ? of diameter (in which both water molecules and ethylenediamine species are located), is the more interesting feature of this structure. Thermal decomposition, including the dehydration/rehydration process, has been studied by thermal analysis and variable temperature X-ray powder diffraction techniques. A complementary SEM study of the different intermediate decomposition products is presented.     

Isotope exchange and separation factor of238U/235U for the system U(III)/U(IV) in aqueous/organic phases

A study of the isotope exchange reaction U(III)_org/U(IV)_aq in the extraction system: 7M HCl — tributyl phosphate (TBP) — toluene has been performed. For 20 s of contact the results show a separation factor²³⁵U/²³⁸U of 1.014. This large separation factor is explained by the oxidation reaction of²³⁵U(III) and²³⁸U(III).     

Formation of a heteronuclear hydrolysis complex in the Th(IV)-Fe(III) system

The speciation in the mixed Th(IV)-Fe(III) system has been studied in aqueous solution in the pH range of 2.0-4.8. In the individual systems iron(III) and thorium(IV) hydrolyze easily and hydrolysis products precipitate at approximately pH ≥ 2.0 and 4.0, respectively, at the metal concentrations used in this study, 0.02-0.05 mol dm(-3). In the mixed Th(IV)-Fe(III) system precipitation of ferrihydrite takes place after months of storage at low pH values, 2.0 (six-line ferrihydrite) and 2.3 (two-line ferrihydrite), as identified by X-ray powder diffraction. In the pH range 2.9-4.5 no precipitation was observed after 24 months. Two thorium(IV)-iron(III) solutions with pH = 2.9, C(Th) = 0.02 and 0.05 mol dm(-3) and C(Fe) = 0.02 mol dm(-3), were studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure, EXAFS, using the Fe K and Th L(3) edges, and a third solution with pH = 2.9 and C(Th) = C(Fe) = 0.40 mol dm(-3) by large angle X-ray scattering, LAXS, to determine the structure of the predominating species. A heteronuclear hydrolysis complex with the composition [Th(2)Fe(2)(μ(2)-OH)(8)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) is proposed to form in solution, with Th···Th, Th···Fe and Fe···Fe distances of 3.94(2) and 3.96(2), 3.41(3) and 3.43(2), 3.04(2) and 3.02(4) ?, as determined by EXAFS and LAXS, respectively.     

Preconcentration of U(VI) from aqueous solutions after sorption using Sorel’s cement in dynamic mode

Summary Mg(OH)₂ was identified as a component of Sorel’s cement being a very strong sorbent for uranium. Sorel’s cement is a mixture of MgO, MgCl₂ and water. The optimal conditions for the adsorption of U(VI) was studied by the batch method. A contact time of 2 hours was found to be optimum. Maximum U(VI) uptake was observed in a pH range of 5.5-6.5 with a sorption constant of K_ads = 0.9 h^-1 at initial concentration of 20 ppm. Polypropylene columns filled with 2 g of Sorel’s cement at a mesh size of 35 were used for the preconcentration of uranium by passing 8 l of water containing 10 ppb U(VI). A flow rate of 0.25 ml/min and a bed height of 5 cm were found to be the optimum for the U(VI) separation. A 5 wt% triphenylphosphine oxide solution in toluene was used as an organic solvent for the separation of uranium from interfering elements such as iron(III) and thorium(IV), prior to spectrophotometric analysis. The determination of U(VI) was accomplished by adding Arsenazo III as a coloring reagent to the solution and using a UV-160A spectrophotometer.     

An effective process for the separation of U(VI), Th(IV) from rare earth elements by using ionic liquid Cyphos IL 104

Separation and recovery of U(VI) and Th(IV) from rare earth minerals is a very challenging work in rare earth industrial production. In the present study, a homemade membrane emulsification circulation (MEC) extractor was used to separate U(VI) and Th(IV) from rare earth elements by using Cyphos IL 104 as an extractant. Batch experiments were carried out using a constant temperature oscillator to investigate the extraction parameters of the single element and the results indicated that Cyphos IL 104 could reach the extraction equilibrium within 30 min for all the three elements, i.e., U(VI), Th(IV), and Eu(III). Besides, the MEC extractor possessed a strong phase separation ability. The extraction efficiencies of U(VI), Th(IV), La(III), Eu(III) and Yb (III) increased with the increase of pH. La(III), Eu(III) and Yb(III) were hardly extracted when pH ≤ 1.50, which was beneficial for effectively separating U(VI) and Th(IV) from La(III), Eu(III) and Yb(III). In the multi-stages stripping experiments, when the stripping stage number was 3, the effective separation could be achieved by using HCl and H₂SO₄, since the stripping efficiency reached 80.0% and 100.0% for Th(IV) and U(VI), respectively. Slope method and FT-IR spectra showed that Cyphos IL 104 reacted with U(VI) and Th(IV) by chelation mechanism. The extraction of multi-elements indicated that U(VI) and Th(IV) could be well separated from the solution which contains all rare earth elements, and the extraction efficiencies of U(VI) and Th(IV) both were close to 100.0%. Based on the above experimental results, a flowchart for efficient separation of U(VI) and Th(IV) from rare earth elements was proposed.     

Mechanism of OH radical hydration: a comparative computational study of liquid and supercritical solvent

Flexible models of the radical and water molecules including short-range interaction of hydrogen atoms have been employed in molecular dynamic simulation to understand mechanism of (●)OH hydration in aqueous systems of technological importance. A key role of H-bond connectivity patterns of water molecules has been identified. The behavior of (●)OH(aq) strongly depends on water density and correlates with topological changes in the hydrogen-bonded structure of water driven by thermodynamic conditions. Liquid and supercritical water above the critical density exhibit the radical localization in cavities existing in the solvent structure. A change of mechanism has been found at supercritical conditions below the critical density. Instead of cavity localization, we have identified accumulation of water molecules around (●)OH associated with the formation of a strong H-donor bond and diminution of non-homogeneity in the solvent structure. For all the systems investigated, the computed hydration number and the internal energy of hydration Δ(h)U showed approximately linear decrease with decreasing density of the solvent but a degree of radical-water hydrogen bonding exhibited non-monotonic dependence on density. The increase in the number of radical-water H-acceptor bonds is associated with diminution of extended nets of four-bonded water molecules in compressed solution at ~473 K. Up to 473 K, the isobaric heat of hydration in compressed liquid water remains constant and equal to -40 ± 1 kJ mol(-1).     

N(CH2CH2NH3)3][U3O2F13].2H2O: a novel organically templated mixed-valent uranium oxyfluoride with a hybrid network structure

The synthesis and characterization of a novel mixed-valent uranium oxyfluoride is described; the inorganic network consists of 2-D [U(2)F(10)](2)(-) sheets constructed from corner- and edge-sharing U(IV)F(9) tricapped trigonal prisms and 1-D [UO(2)F(3)](-) chains constructed from edge-sharing U(VI)O(2)F(5) pentagonal bipyramids with the organic cations and water molecules between the sheets. This is the first example with a hybrid network structure in the system of uranium fluoride or oxyfluoride. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility confirms the oxidation state of the uranium ions. Crystal data follow: C(6)H(25)N(4)O(4)F(13)U(3), monoclinic, space group P2(1) (No. 4); a = 8.6876(4) A, b = 7.3158(4) A, c = 16.3376(8) A, beta = 93.7285(9) degrees , V = 1036.2(2) A(3), and Z = 2.     

Modeling the interactions of phthalocyanines in water: from the Cu(II)-tetrasulphonate to the metal-free phthalocyanine

A quantum and statistical study on the effects of the ions Cu(2+) and SO(3)(-) in the solvent structure around the metal-free phthalocyanine (H(2)Pc) is presented. We developed an ab initio interaction potential for the system CuPc-H(2)O based on quantum chemical calculations and studied its transferability to the H(2)Pc-H(2)O and [CuPc(SO(3))(4)](4-)-H(2)O interactions. The use of the molecular dynamics technique allows the determination of energetic and structural properties of CuPc, H(2)Pc, and [CuPc(SO(3))(4)](4-) in water and the understanding of the keys for the different behaviors of the three phthalocyanine (Pc) derivatives in water. The inclusion of the Cu(2+) cation in the Pc structure reinforces the appearance of two axial water molecules and second-shell water molecules in the solvent structure, whereas the presence of SO(3)(-) anions implies a well defined hydration shell of about eight water molecules around them making the macrocycle soluble in water. Debye-Waller factors for axial water molecules have been obtained in order to examine the potential sensitivity of the extended x-ray absorption fine structure technique to detect the axial water molecules.     

The hydration of the scandium(III) ion in aqueous solution and crystalline hydrates studied by XAFS spectroscopy, large-angle X-ray scattering and crystallography

The structures of the hydrated scandium(III) ion and of the hydrated dimeric hydrolysis complex, [Sc2(mu-OH)2]4+, in acidic aqueous solutions have been characterized by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) and large-angle X-ray scattering (LAXS) methods. Comparisons with crystalline reference compounds containing hydrated scandium(III) ions in well characterized six-, seven- and eight-coordinated polyhedra have been used to evaluate the coordination numbers and configurations in aqueous solution. In strongly acidic aqueous solution the structure of the hydrated scandium(III) ion is found to be similar to that of the eight-coordinated scandium(III) ion with distorted bicapped trigonal prismatic coordinating geometry in the crystalline [Sc(H2O)(8.0)](CF3SO3)3 compound. The EXAFS data reveal for the solution, as for the solid, a mean Sc-O bond distance of 2.17(1) Angstrom to six strongly bound prism water molecules, 2.32(4) Angstrom to one capping position, with possibly another capping position at about 2.5 Angstrom. The LAXS study supports this structural model and shows furthermore a second hydration sphere with approximately 12 water molecules at a mean Sc...O(II) distance of 4.27(3) Angstrom. In less acidic concentrated scandium(III) aqueous solutions, the dimeric hydrolysis product, [Sc2(mu-OH)2(H2O)10]4+, is the predominating species with seven-coordinated scandium(III) ions in a double hydroxo bridge and five terminal water molecules at a mean Sc-O bond distance of 2.145 Angstrom. Hexahydrated scandium(III) ions are found in the crystal structure of the double salt [Sc(H2O)6][Sc(CH3SO3)6], which crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3[combining macron] with Z = 6 and the unit cell dimensions a = 14.019(2) and c = 25.3805(5) Angstrom. The Sc-O distances in the two crystallographically unique, but nearly identical, [Sc(H2O)6]3+ entities (both with 3[combining macron] imposed crystallographic symmetry) are 2.085(6) and 2.086(5) Angstrom, while the mean Sc-O distance in the near octahedral [Sc(OSO2CH3)6]3- entities (with three-fold symmetry) is 2.078 Angstrom.