Binary and ternary uranium(VI) humate complexes studied by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy

The complexation of U(VI) with humic acid (HA) in aqueous solution has been investigated at an ionic strength of 0.1 M (NaCl) in the pH range between pH 2 and 10 at different carbonate concentrations by attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy. For the first time, the formation of binary and ternary U(VI) humate complexes was directly verified by in situ spectroscopic measurements. The complex formation constants for the binary U(VI) humate complex (UO(2)HA(II)) and for the ternary U(VI) mono hydroxo humate complex (UO(2)(OH)HA(I)) as well as the ternary U(VI) dicarbonato humate complex (UO(2)(CO(3))(2)HA(II)(4-)) determined from the spectroscopic data amount to log β(0.1 M) = 6.70 ± 0.25, log β(0.1 M) = 15.14 ± 0.25 and log β(0.1 M) = 24.47 ± 0.70, respectively, and verify literature data.     

Probing the local coordination environment and nuclearity of uranyl(VI) complexes in non-aqueous media by emission spectroscopy

We describe the synthesis, solid state and solution properties of two families of uranyl(VI) complexes that are ligated by neutral monodentate and anionic bidentate P=O, P=NH and As=O ligands bearing pendent phenyl chromophores. The uranyl(VI) ions in these complexes possess long-lived photoluminescent LMCT (3)Π(u) excited states, which can be exploited as a sensitive probe of electronic structure, bonding and aggregation behaviour in non-aqueous media. For a family of well defined complexes of given symmetry in trans-[UO(2)Cl(2)(L(2))] (L = Ph(3)PO (1), Ph(3)AsO (2) and Ph(3)PNH (3)), the emission spectral profiles in CH(2)Cl(2) are indicative of the strength of the donor atoms bound in the equatorial plane and the uranyl bond strength; the uranyl LMCT emission maxima are shifted to lower energy as the donor strength of L increases. The luminescence lifetimes in fluid solution mirror these observations (0.87-3.46 μs) and are particularly sensitive to vibrational and bimolecular deactivation. In a family of structurally well defined complexes of the related anion, tetraphenylimidodiphosphinate (TPIP), monometallic complexes, [UO(2)(TPIP)(thf)] (4), [UO(2)(TPIP)(Cy(3)PO)] 5), a bimetallic complex [UO(2)(TPIP)(2)](2) (6) and a previously known trimetallic complex, [UO(2)(TPIP)(2)](3) (7) can be isolated by variation of the synthetic procedure. Complex 7 differs from 6 as the central uranyl ion in 7 is orthogonally connected to the two peripheral ones via uranyl → uranium dative bonds. Each of these oligomers exhibits a characteristic optical fingerprint, where the emission maxima, the spectral shape and temporal decay profiles are unique for each structural form. Notably, excited state intermetallic quenching in the trimetallic complex 7 considerably reduces the luminescence lifetime with respect to the monometallic counterpart 5 (from 2.00 μs to 1.04 μs). This study demonstrates that time resolved and multi-parametric luminescence can be of value in ascertaining solution and structural forms of discrete uranyl(VI) complexes in non-aqueous solution.     

Surface complexation of carbonate on goethite: IR spectroscopy, structure and charge distribution

The adsorption of carbonate on goethite has been evaluated, focussing on the relation between the structure of the surface complex and corresponding adsorption characteristics, like pH dependency and proton co-adsorption. The surface structure of adsorbed CO3(-2) has been assessed with (1) a reinterpretation of IR spectroscopy data, (2) determination of the charge distribution within the carbonate complex using surface complexation modeling, and (3) evaluation of the proton co-adsorption of various oxyanions, including carbonate, in relation with structural differences. Carbonate adsorption leads to a degeneration of the nu3 IR vibration. Currently, the magnitude of the Deltanu3 band splitting is used as a criterion for metal coordination. However, the interpretation is not unambiguous, since the magnitude of Deltanu3 is influenced by polarization and additional field effects, due to, e.g., H bonding. Our evaluation shows that for goethite the magnitude of band splitting Deltanu3 falls within the range of values that is representative for bidentate complex formation, despite contrarily assignments made in literature. Determination of the charge distribution (CD), derived by modeling available carbonate adsorption data, shows that a very large part (2/3) of the carbonate charge resides in the surface. Interpretation of this result with a bond valence and a ligand charge analysis strongly favors the bidentate surface complexation option for adsorbed carbonate. This option is also supported by the proton co-adsorption of carbonate. The H co-adsorption is very high, which corresponds closely to an oxyanion surface complex in which 2/3 of the ligands are common with the surface. The high H co-adsorption is in conflict with the monodentate option for adsorbed CO3(-2). The study shows that the H co-adsorption of CO3(-2) is almost equal to the experimental H co-adsorption obtained for SeO3(-2) adsorption, which can be rationalized supposing for both XO3(-2) complexes the same ligand distribution in the interface, i.e., bidentate complex formation.     

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.     

Kinetics of triscarbonato uranyl reduction by aqueous ferrous iron: a theoretical study

Uranium is a pollutant whose mobility is strongly dependent on its oxidation state. While U(VI) in the form of the uranyl cation is readily reduced by a range of natural reductants, by contrast complexation of uranyl by carbonate greatly reduces its reduction potential and imposes increased electron transfer (ET) distances. Very little is known about the elementary processes involved in uranium reduction from U(VI) to U(V) to U(IV) in general. In this study, we examine the theoretical kinetics of ET from ferrous iron to triscarbonato uranyl in aqueous solution. A combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) electronic structure calculations is employed to compute the parameters that enter into Marcus' ET model, including the thermodynamic driving forces, reorganization energies, and electronic coupling matrix elements. MD simulations predict that two ferrous iron atoms will bind in an inner-sphere fashion to the three-membered carbonate ring of triscarbonato uranyl, forming the charge-neutral ternary Fe(2)UO(2)(CO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(8) complex. Through a sequential proton-coupled electron-transfer mechanism (PCET), the first ET step converting U(VI) to U(V) is predicted by DFT to occur with an electronic barrier that corresponds to a rate on the order of approximately 1 s(-1). The second ET step converting U(V) to U(IV) is predicted to be significantly endergonic. Therefore, U(V) is a stabilized end product in this ET system, in agreement with experiment.     

Metal-assisted in situ formation of a tridentate acetylacetone ligand for complexation of fac-Re(CO)3+ for radiopharmaceutical applications

Reaction of [NEt4]2[ReBr3(CO)3] with 2,4-pentanedione (acac) yields a complex of the type fac-Re(acac)(OH2)(CO)3 (1) under aqueous conditions. 1 was further reacted with a monodentate ligand (pyridine) to yield a fac-Re(acac)(pyridine)(CO)3 complex (2). Complex 1 was found to react with primary amines to generate a Schiff base (imine) in aqueous solutions. When a mixed-nitrogen donor bidentate ligand, 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine, that has different coordination affinities for fac-Re(acac)(OH2)(CO)3 was utilized, a unique tridentate ligand was formed in situ utilizing a metal-assisted Schiff base formation to yield a complex fac-Re(CO)3(3[(2-phenylethyl)imino]-2-pentanone) (3). Tridentate ligand formation was found to occur only with the Re-coordinated acac ligand. Reactions of acac with fac-Re(CO)3Br(2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine) (4) or a mixture of [NEt4]2[ReBr3(CO)3], acac, and 2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine did not yield the formation of complex 3 in water.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of dioxouranium (VI) complexes derived from some oximes and containing dihydroxo bridges

The reaction between uranyl acetate dihydrate and some mono- and dioxime ligands in absolute ethanol and in the presence and/or absence of sodium acetate is reported. The structures of the isolated dioxouranium (VI) complexes as well as the existence of dihydroxo bridge structures are characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, pH, spectra (i.r., u.v., NMR) and magnetic measurements. Molecular weight measurements suggest a dimeric structure for all complexes except that derived from p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde-oxime in the presence of sodium acetate. Infrared spectral data show that the oximes behave as mononegative monodentate ligands with displacement of a hydrogen atom from an NOH group. Also, the spectral data indicate that the acetate group behaves as a mono- or bidentate ligand. Moreover, the existence of a dihydroxo bridge is confirmed. Finally, simple mechanisms, in solution and/or solid, are proposed for the reactions between ligands containing attracting and/or donor groups and uranyl acetate dihydrate.     

Sorption properties of oxides IX: Effect of anions on the sorption of uranium (VI) on hydrous oxides

Effect of anions such as nitrate, chloride, sulphate and carbonate on the sorption of U(VI), from aqueous solutions on hydrous oxides of Ti(IV), Ce(IV) Zr(IV) and Th(IV) has been studied. The sorption of U(VI) is markedly reduced in the presence of anions, like carbonate, whichform strong complexes with UO ₂ ^{2 +} in solution. The results are explained in terms of a competition for free UO ₂ ^{2 +} between surface hydroxyl groups and ligands (anions) present in solution. The sorption of U(VI) on these hydrous oxides was also studied from a bicarbonatecarbonate mixture. Sorption was less under conditions when tricarbonate complex of U(VI) was formed, but increased at higher pH values (>9), presumably due to the formation and sorption of hydroxo complexes of U(VI).     

Reactions of the (2-pyridyl) pyrrolide platinum(II) complex driven by sterically encumbered chelation: a model for the reversible attack of alcohol at the coordinated carbon monoxide

Treatment of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-2-(2'-pyridyl)pyrrole (fpyroH) with Pt(DMSO)2Cl2 and Na2CO3 in THF solution gave a light-yellow complex denoted as [Pt(fpyro)2] (1). A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study on 1 revealed a large conformational distortion around the platinum(II) center, which is attributed to interligand repulsion between the pyridyl groups and the CF3 substituents of the nearby pyrrolides. Reaction of 1 with N- and C-donor ligands such as acetonitrile, pyridine, isocyanide, and CO affords the adducts [Pt(fpyro)2(L)], L = NCMe (2), pyridine (3), CNBut (4), and CO (5), showing formation of one monodentate fpyro ligand by release of the strain energy. The variable-temperature 1H NMR studies showed a static structure for the N-substituted adducts 2 and 3, whereas the C-adducts 4 and 5 are shown to be more labile, displaying a pairwise exchange of bidentate and monodentate fpyro ligands in solution. Addition of ethanol to the coordinated CO in 5 during recrystallization is also established, affording an ethoxycarbonyl complex [Pt(fpyro)(fpyroH)(CO2Et)] (6), which was isolated as a crystalline solid and can be readily converted back to 5 and free ethanol upon dissolution at room temperature.     

Effects of sulfate ligand on uranyl carbonato surface species on ferrihydrite surfaces

Understanding uranium (U) sorption processes in permeable reactive barriers (PRB) are critical in modeling reactive transport for evaluating PRB performance at the Fry Canyon demonstration site in Utah, USA. To gain insight into the U sequestration mechanism in the amorphous ferric oxyhydroxide (AFO)-coated gravel PRB, U(VI) sorption processes on ferrihydrite surfaces were studied in 0.01 M Na(2)SO(4) solutions to simulate the major chemical composition of U-contaminated groundwater (i.e., [SO(4)(2-)] ~13 mM L(-1)) at the site. Uranyl sorption was greater at pH 7.5 than that at pH 4 in both air- and 2% pCO(2)-equilibrated systems. While there were negligible effects of sulfate ligands on the pH-dependent U(VI) sorption (<24 h) in both systems, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analysis showed sulfate ligand associated U(VI) surface species at the ferrihydrite-water interface. In air-equilibrated systems, binary and mono-sulfate U(VI) ternary surface species co-existed at pH 5.43. At pH 6.55-7.83, a mixture of mono-sulfate and bis-carbonato U(VI) ternary surface species became more important. At 2% pCO(2), there was no contribution of sulfate ligands on the U(VI) ternary surface species. Instead, a mixture of bis-carbonato inner-sphere (38%) and tris-carbonato outer-sphere U(VI) ternary surface species (62%) was found at pH 7.62. The study suggests that the competitive ligand (bicarbonate and sulfate) coordination on U(VI) surface species might be important in evaluating the U solid-state speciation in the AFO PRB at the study site where pCO(2) fluctuates between 1 and 2 pCO(2)%.     

Carbonate complexation of Mn2+ in the aqueous phase: redox behavior and ligand binding modes by electrochemistry and EPR spectroscopy

The chemical speciation of Mn2+ within cells is critical for its transport, availability, and redox properties. Herein we investigate the redox behavior and complexation equilibria of Mn2+ in aqueous solutions of bicarbonate by voltammetry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and discuss the implications for the uptake of Mn2+ by mangano-cluster enzymes such as photosystem II (PSII). Both the electrochemical reduction of Mn2+ to Mn0 at an Hg electrode and EPR (in the absence of a polarizing electrode) revealed the formation of 1:1 and 1:2 Mn-(bi)carbonate complexes as a function of Mn2+ and bicarbonate concentrations. Pulsed EPR spectroscopy, including ENDOR, ESEEM, and 2D-HYSCORE, were used to probe the hyperfine couplings to 1H and 13C nuclei of the ligand(s) bound to Mn2+. For the 1:2 complex, the complete 13C hyperfine tensor for one of the (bi)carbonate ligands was determined and it was established that this ligand coordinates to Mn2+ in bidentate mode with a 13C-Mn distance of 2.85 +/- 0.1 angstroms. The second (bi)carbonate ligand in the 1:2 complex coordinates possibly in monodentate mode, which is structurally less defined, and its 13C signal is broad and unobservable. 1H ENDOR reveals that 1-2 water ligands are lost upon binding of one bicarbonate ion in the 1:1 complex while 3-4 water ligands are lost upon forming the 1:2 complex. Thus, we deduce that the dominant species above 0.1 M bicarbonate concentration is the 1:2 complex, [Mn(CO3)(HCO3)(OH2)3]-.     

Competitive sorption of carbonate and arsenic to hematite: combined ATR-FTIR and batch experiments

The competitive sorption of carbonate and arsenic to hematite was investigated in closed-system batch experiments. The experimental conditions covered a pH range of 3-7, arsenate concentrations of 3-300 μM, and arsenite concentrations of 3-200 μM. Dissolved carbonate concentrations were varied by fixing the CO(2) partial pressure at 0.39 (atmospheric), 10, or 100 hPa. Sorption data were modeled with a one-site three plane model considering carbonate and arsenate surface complexes derived from ATR-FTIR spectroscopy analyses. Macroscopic sorption data revealed that in the pH range 3-7, carbonate was a weak competitor for both arsenite and arsenate. The competitive effect of carbonate increased with increasing CO(2) partial pressure and decreasing arsenic concentrations. For arsenate, sorption was reduced by carbonate only at slightly acidic to neutral pH values, whereas arsenite sorption was decreased across the entire pH range. ATR-FTIR spectra indicated the predominant formation of bidentate binuclear inner-sphere surface complexes for both sorbed arsenate and sorbed carbonate. Surface complexation modeling based on the dominant arsenate and carbonate surface complexes indicated by ATR-FTIR and assuming inner-sphere complexation of arsenite successfully described the macroscopic sorption data. Our results imply that in natural arsenic-contaminated systems where iron oxide minerals are important sorbents, dissolved carbonate may increase aqueous arsenite concentrations, but will affect dissolved arsenate concentrations only at neutral to alkaline pH and at very high CO(2) partial pressures.     

Curcumin as the OO bidentate ligand in "2 + 1" complexes with the [M(CO)3]+ (M = Re, 99mTc) tricarbonyl core for radiodiagnostic applications

The synthesis and characterization of "2 + 1" complexes of the [M(CO)(3)](+) (M = Re, (99m)Tc) core with the β-diketones acetylacetone (complexes 2, 8) and curcumin (complexes 5, 10 and 6, 11) as bidentate OO ligands, and imidazole or isocyanocyclohexane as monodentate ligands is reported. The complexes were synthesized by reacting the [NEt(4)](2)[Re(CO)(3)Br(3)] precursor with the β-diketone to generate the intermediate aqua complex fac-Re(CO)(3)(OO)(H(2)O) that was isolated and characterized, followed by replacement of the labile water by the monodentate ligand. All complexes were characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopies, and elemental analysis. In the case of complex 2, bearing imidazole as the monodentate ligand, X-ray analysis was possible. The chemistry was successfully transferred at (99m)Tc tracer level. The curcumin complexes 5 and 6, as well as their intermediate aqua complex 4, that bear potential for radiopharmaceutical applications due to the wide spectrum of pharmacological activity of curcumin, were successfully tested for selective staining of β-amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's disease. The fact that the complexes maintain the affinity of the mother compound curcumin for β-amyloid plaques prompts for further exploration of their chemistry and biological properties as radioimaging probes.     

Comparative study of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous solution

Electrochemical, complexation, and electronic properties of uranyl(VI) and -(V) carbonato complexes in an aqueous Na2CO3 solution have been investigated to define the appropriate conditions for preparing pure uranyl(V) samples and to understand the difference in coordination character between UO22+ and UO2+. Cyclic voltammetry using three different working electrodes of platinum, gold, and glassy carbon has suggested that the electrochemical reaction of uranyl(VI) carbonate species proceeds quasi-reversibly. Electrolysis of UO22+ has been performed in Na2CO3 solutions of more than 0.8 M with a limited pH range of 11.7 < pH < 12.0 using a platinum mesh electrode. It produces a high purity of the uranyl(V) carbonate solution, which has been confirmed to be stable for at least 2 weeks in a sealed glass cuvette. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) measurements revealed the structural arrangement of uranyl(VI) and -(V) tricarbonato complexes, [UO2(CO3)3]n- [n = 4 for uranyl(VI), 5 for uranyl(V)]. The bond distances of U-Oax, U-Oeq, U-C, and U-Odist are determined to be 1.81, 2.44, 2.92, and 4.17 A for the uranyl(VI) complex and 1.91, 2.50, 2.93, and 4.23 A for the uranyl(V) complex, respectively. The validity of the structural parameters obtained from EXAFS has been supported by quantum chemical calculations for the uranyl(VI) complex. The uranium LI- and LIII-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra have been interpreted in terms of electron transitions and multiple-scattering features.     

Variable denticity in carboxylate binding to the uranyl coordination complexes

Tris-carboxylate complexes of uranyl [UO₂]²⁺ with acetate and benzoate were generated using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and then isolated in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Wavelength-selective infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) of the tris-acetato uranyl anion resulted in a redox elimination of an acetate radical, which was used to generate an IR spectrum that consisted of six prominent absorption bands. These were interpreted with the aid of density functional theory calculations in terms of symmetric and antisymmetric −CO₂ stretches of the monodentate and bidentate acetate, CH₃ bending and umbrella vibrations, and a uranyl O—U—O asymmetric stretch. The comparison of the calculated and measured IR spectra indicated that the predominant conformer of the tris-acetate complex contained two acetate ligands bound in a bidentate fashion, while the third acetate was monodentate. In similar fashion, the tris-benzoate uranyl anion was formed and photodissociated by loss of a benzoate radical, enabling measurement of the infrared spectrum that was in close agreement with that calculated for a structure containing one monodentate and two bidentate benzoate ligands.     

First identification and thermodynamic characterization of the ternary U(VI) species, UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-), in UO2-H2O2-K2CO3 solutions

In alkaline carbonate solutions, hydrogen peroxide can selectively replace one of the carbonate ligands in UO2(CO3)3(4-) to form the ternary mixed U(VI) peroxo-carbonato species UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-). Orange rectangular plates of K4[UO2(CO3)2(O2)].H2O were isolated and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Crystallographic data: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/ n, a = 6.9670(14) A, b = 9.2158(10) A, c = 18.052(4) A, Z = 4. Spectrophotometric titrations with H 2O 2 were performed in 0.5 M K 2CO 3, with UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-) concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.55 mM. The molar absorptivities (M(-1) cm(-1)) for UO2(CO3)3(4-) and UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-) were determined to be 23.3 +/- 0.3 at 448.5 nm and 1022.7 +/- 19.0 at 347.5 nm, respectively. Stoichiometric analyses coupled with spectroscopic comparisons between solution and solid state indicate that the stable solution species is UO2(O2)(CO3)2(4-), which has an apparent formation constant of log K' = 4.70 +/- 0.02 relative to the tris-carbonato complex.     

An infrared study of co-adsorption of N2O and CO on ZnO

The absorption of N(2)O and CO at room temperature on finely divided ZnO surfaces gives reversible absorption bands from surface N(2)O species in the 2237-2245, 2265-2285 and 1245-1255 cm(-1) regions. The growth of the first band is at the expense of the second while its intensity and position depends on the extent of the surface carbonate, formed by the oxidation of CO by N(2)O. The order of introduction of CO and N(2)O, and whether the ZnO surface is oxidised or reduced, gave significantly different results in terms of carbonate formation. The strongest carbonate formation and implied decomposition of N(2)O, occurs at room temperature when CO is added to preadsorbed N(2)O on an oxidised ZnO surface. A single bidentate carbonate is formed under these conditions but on heating in the gas mixture to 200 degrees C an additional, possibly monodentate, carbonate occurs together with a surface formate species.     

Complexing ability of the versatile,redox-active, 3-[3-(diphenylphosphino)propylthio]-3',4,4'-trimethyl-tetrathiafulvalene ligand

The synthesis of a ligand containing as an electroactive core a tetrathiafulvalene moiety, 3-[3-(diphenylphosphino)propylthio]-3',4,4'-trimethyl-tetrathiafulvalene, is reported. Its versatile ability to act as a bidentate or a monodentate ligand, as demonstrated by the metal carbonyl complexes obtained, is described. The novel cis-Mo(CO)(4)(P-TTF)(2) 4 and cis-W(CO)(4)(P,S-TTF) 6 complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Within complex 4, no significant influence of the two electroactive ligands on the molybdenum center was detected, whereas, in complex 6, a weak influence of the TTF redox-active core can be observed on the redox behavior of the metal center.     

Surface complexation modeling of uranium(VI) sorbed onto lanthanum monophosphate

Sorption/desorption are basic processes in the field of contaminant transport. In order to develop mechanistically accurate thermodynamic sorption models, the simulation of retention data has to take into account molecular scale informations provided by structural investigations. In this way, the uranyl sorption constants onto lanthanum monophosphate (LaPO(4)) were determined on the basis of a previously published structural investigation. The surface complexation modeling of U(VI) retention onto LaPO(4) has been performed using the constant capacitance model included in the FITEQLv3.2 program. The electrical behavior of the solid surface was investigated using electrophoretic measurements and potentiometric titration experiments. The point of zero charge was found to be 3.5 and surface complexation modeling has made it possible to calculate the surface acidity constants. The fitting procedure was done with respect to the spectroscopic results, which have shown that LaPO(4) presents two kinds of reactive surface sites (lanthanum atoms and phosphate groups). The uranyl sorption edges were determined for two surface coverages: 40 and 20% of the surface sites that are occupied, assuming complete sorption. The modeling of these experimental data was realized by considering two uranyl species ("free" uranyl and uranyl nitrate complex) sorbed only onto phosphate surface groups according to the previously published structural investigation. The obtained sorption constants present similar values for both surface complexes and make it possible to fit both sorption edges: logK(U)=9.4 for z.tbnd;P(OH)(2)+UO(2)(2+)<-->z.tbnd;P(OH)(2)UO(2)(2+) and logK(UN)=9.7 for z.tbnd;P(OH)(2)+UO(2)NO(3)(+)<-->z.tbnd;P(OH)(2)UO(2)NO(3)(+).