Subtle Interactions and Electron Transfer between UIII,NpIII, or PuIII and Uranyl Mediated by the Oxo Group

A dramatic difference in the ability of the reducing An^III center in AnCp₃ (An=U, Np, Pu; Cp=C₅H₅) to oxo‐bind and reduce the uranyl(VI) dication in the complex [(UO₂)(THF)(H₂L)] (L=“Pacman” Schiff‐base polypyrrolic macrocycle), is found and explained. These are the first selective functionalizations of the uranyl oxo by another actinide cation. At‐first contradictory electronic structural data are explained by combining theory and experiment. Complete one‐electron transfer from Cp₃U forms the U^IV‐uranyl(V) compound that behaves as a U^V‐localized single molecule magnet below 4 K. The extent of reduction by the Cp₃Np group upon oxo‐coordination is much less, with a Np^III‐uranyl(VI) dative bond assigned. Solution NMR and NIR spectroscopy suggest Np^IVU^V but single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and SQUID magnetometry suggest a Np^III‐U^VI assignment. DFT‐calculated Hirshfeld charge and spin density analyses suggest half an electron has transferred, and these explain the strongly shifted NMR spectra by spin density contributions at the hydrogen nuclei. The Pu^III–U^VI interaction is too weak to be observed in THF solvent, in agreement with calculated predictions.     

Ligand‐Supported Facile Conversion of Uranyl(VI) into Uranium(IV) in Organic and Aqueous Media

Reduction of uranyl(VI) to U^V and to U^IV is important in uranium environmental migration and remediation processes. The anaerobic reduction of a uranyl U^VI complex supported by a picolinate ligand in both organic and aqueous media is presented. The [U^VIO₂(dpaea)] complex is readily converted into the cis‐boroxide U^IV species via diborane‐mediated reductive functionalization in organic media. Remarkably, in aqueous media the uranyl(VI) complex is rapidly converted, by Na₂S₂O₄, a reductant relevant for chemical remediation processes, into the stable uranyl(V) analogue, which is then slowly reduced to yield a water‐insoluble trinuclear U^IV oxo‐hydroxo cluster. This report provides the first example of direct conversion of a uranyl(VI) compound into a well‐defined molecular U^IV species in aqueous conditions.     

Axially Symmetric U−O−Ln‐ and U−O−U‐Containing Molecules from the Control of Uranyl Reduction with Simple f‐Block Halides

The reduction of U^VI uranyl halides or amides with simple Ln^II or U^III salts forms highly symmetric, linear, oxo‐bridged trinuclear U^V/Ln^III/U^V, Ln^III/U^IV/Ln^III, and U^IV/U^IV/U^IV complexes or linear Ln^III/U^V polymers depending on the stoichiometry and solvent. The reactions can be tuned to give the products of one‐ or two‐electron uranyl reduction. The reactivity and magnetism of these compounds are discussed in the context of using a series of strongly oxo‐coupled homo‐ and heterometallic poly(f‐block) chains to better understand fundamental electronic structure in the f‐block.     

Isolation of a Star‐Shaped Uranium(V/VI) Cluster from the Anaerobic Photochemical Reduction of Uranyl(VI)

Actinide oxo clusters are an important class of compounds due to their impact on actinide migration in the environment. The photolytic reduction of uranyl(VI) has potential application in catalysis and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, but the intermediate species involved in this reduction have not yet been elucidated. Here we show that the photolysis of partially hydrated uranyl(VI) in anaerobic conditions leads to the reduction of uranyl(VI), and to the incorporation of the resulting U^V species into the stable mixed‐valent star‐shaped U^VI/U^V oxo cluster [U(UO₂)₅(μ₃‐O)₅(PhCOO)₅(Py)₇] ( 1 ). This cluster is only the second example of a U^VI/U^V cluster and the first one associating uranyl groups to a non‐uranyl(V) center. The U^V center in 1 is stable, while the reaction of uranyl(V) iodide with potassium benzoate leads to immediate disproportionation and formation of the U₁₂^IVU₄^VO₂₄ cluster {[K(Py)₂]₂[K(Py)]₂[U₁₆O₂₄(PhCOO)₂₄(Py)₂]} ( 5 ).     

Ligand-Supported Facile Conversion of Uranyl(VI) into Uranium(IV) in Organic and Aqueous Media

Reduction of uranyl(VI) to U^V and to U^IV is important in uranium environmental migration and remediation processes. The anaerobic reduction of a uranyl U^VI complex supported by a picolinate ligand in both organic and aqueous media is presented. The [U^VIO₂(dpaea)] complex is readily converted into the cis-boroxide U^IV species via diborane-mediated reductive functionalization in organic media. Remarkably, in aqueous media the uranyl(VI) complex is rapidly converted, by Na₂S₂O₄, a reductant relevant for chemical remediation processes, into the stable uranyl(V) analogue, which is then slowly reduced to yield a water-insoluble trinuclear U^IV oxo-hydroxo cluster. This report provides the first example of direct conversion of a uranyl(VI) compound into a well-defined molecular U^IV species in aqueous conditions.     

Mechanistic Features of the TiO2 Heterogeneous Photocatalysis of Arsenic and Uranyl Nitrate in Aqueous Suspensions Studied by the Stopped‐Flow Technique

The dynamics of the transfer of electrons stored in TiO₂ nanoparticles to As^III, As^V, and uranyl nitrate in water was investigated by using the stopped‐flow technique. Suspensions of TiO₂ nanoparticles with stored trapped electrons (e_trap^?) were mixed with solutions of acceptor species to evaluate the reactivity by following the temporal evolution of e_trap^? by the decrease in the absorbance at λ=600 nm. The results indicate that As^V and As^III cannot be reduced by e_trap^? under the reaction conditions. In addition, it was observed that the presence of As^V and As^III strongly modified the reaction rate between O₂ and e_trap^?: an increase in the rate was observed if As^V was present and a decrease in the rate was observed in the presence of As^III. In contrast with the As system, U^VI was observed to react easily with e_trap^? and U^IV formation was observed spectroscopically at λ=650 nm. The possible competence of U^VI and NO₃^? for their reduction by e_trap^? was analyzed. The inhibition of the U^VI photocatalytic reduction by O₂ could be attributed to the fast oxidation of U^V and/or U^IV.     

Crystal Structure of the Mixed-Valence Neptunium Compound Na6[(NpVO2)2(NpVIO2)(MoO4)5] · 13H2O

The crystal structure of the mixed-valence Np(V) and Np(VI) compound Na₆[(Np^VO₂)₂(Np^VIO₂)(MoO₄)₅] · 13H₂O was determined. The structure is built of the anionic layers [(Np^VO₂)₂(Np^VIO₂)(MoO₄)₅] ^6n- _n with the Na⁺ cations and crystal water molecules between them. The Np(V) and Np(VI) atoms in the anionic layers are ordered. The motif of the anionic layer is close to that found in Mg₂[(UO₂)₃(SeO₄)₅] · 16H₂O. The isostructural mixed-valence Np(V) and U(VI) compound was also synthesized.     

On the highest oxidation states of the actinoids in AnO4 molecules (An = Ac – Cm): A DMRG-CASSCF study

Actinoid tetroxide molecules AnO₄ (An = Ac – Cm) are investigated with the ab initio density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) approach. Natural orbital shapes are used to read out the oxidation state (OS) of the f-elements, and the atomic orbital energies and radii are used to explain the trends. The highest OSs reveal a “volcano”-type variation: For An = Ac – Np, the OSs are equal to the number of available valence electrons, that is, Ac^III, Th^IV, Pa^V, U^VI, and Np^VII. Starting with plutonium as the turning point, the highest OSs in the most stable AnO₄ isomers then decrease as Pu^V, Am^V, and Cm^III, indicating that the 5f-electrons are hard to be fully oxidized off from Pu onward. The variations are related to the actinoid contraction and to the 5f-covalency characteristics. Combined with previous work on OSs, we review their general trends throughout the periodic table, providing fundamental understanding of OS-relevant phenomena.     

Interaction of AnVI with Isothiocyanate Ion in Water‐Organic Media (An = U,Np, Pu)

Behavior of U^VI, Np^VI and Pu^VI in water‐acetonitrile solutions was studied spectrophotometrically with the successive addition of the polar organic ligands (dimethyl sulfoxide or hexamethylphosphoric triamide) and the NCS^– ion. The detected spectral effects – changes in the absorption intensity, bathochromic shifts in the absorption bands, the absence of isosbestic points, a change in the color of the solution – indicate complex competitive processes occurring in the studied solutions. In the case of Np^VI, its partial reduction to Np^IV by NCS^– ion is observed. Solid U^VI complex, [UO₂(HMPA)₂(NCS)₂], was isolated, its crystal structure was determined using X‐ray diffraction. In contrast to known AnO₂²⁺ compounds with the NCS^– ion, this complex exhibits tetragonal bipyramidal environment of the U atom. [UO₂(HMPA)₂(NCS)₂] is also characterized by UV/Vis, IR and luminescence spectroscopy.     

A Mixed‐Valent Uranium Phosphonate Framework Containing UIV,UV, and UVI

It is shown that U^VO₂⁺ ions can reside at U^VIO₂²⁺ lattice sites during mild reduction and crystallization process under solvothermal conditions, yielding a complicated and rare mixed‐valent uranium phosphonate compound that simultaneously contains U^IV, U^V, and U^VI. The presence of uranium with three oxidation states was confirmed by various characterization techniques, including X‐ray crystallography, X‐ray photoelectron, electron paramagnetic resonance, FTIR, UV/Vis‐NIR absorption, and synchrotron radiation X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and magnetism measurements.     

1,10‐Phenanthroline and Non‐Symmetrical 1,3,5‐Triazine Dipicolinamide‐Based Ligands For Group Actinide Extraction

The synthesis and evaluation of new extractants for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing are described. New bitopic ligands constituted of phenanthroline and 1,3,5‐triazine cores functionalized by picolinamide groups were designed. Synthetic routes were investigated and optimized to obtain twelve new polyaza‐heterocyclic ligands. In particular, an efficient and versatile methodology was developed to access non‐symmetric 2‐substituted‐4,6‐di(6‐picolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazines from the 1,3,5‐triazapentadiene precursor in the presence of anhydride reagents. Extraction studies showed the ability of both ligand series to extract and separate actinides selectively at different oxidation states (U^VI, Np^V,VI, Am^III, Cm^III, and Pu^IV) from an acidic solution (3 M HNO₃). Phenanthroline‐based ligands show the most promising efficiency for use in the group actinide extraction (GANEX) process due to a higher number of donor nitrogen atoms and a suitable pre‐organization of the dipicolinamide‐1,10‐phenanthroline architecture.     

Synthesis and Utility of Neptunium(III) Hydrocarbyl Complex

To extend organoactinide chemistry beyond uranium, reported here is the first structurally characterized transuranic hydrocarbyl complex, Np[η⁴‐Me₂NC(H)C₆H₅]₃ ( 1 ), from reaction of NpCl₄(DME)₂ with four equivalents of K[Me₂NC(H)C₆H₅]. Unlike the U^III species, the neptunium analogue can be used to access other Np^III complexes. The reaction of 1 with three equivalents of HE₂C(2,6‐Mes₂‐C₆H₃) (E=O, S) yields [(2,6‐Mes₂‐C₆H₃)CE₂]₃Np(THF)₂, maintaining the trivalent oxidation state.     

Determination of the Uranium(VI) and ‐(IV) Species in Uranium Ores

The determination of the two species of uranium(VI and IV) present in 6 uranium ores was studied in relation to the chemical and mineralogical composition, humidity, and pH of the samples taken over from the mine. X‐ray diffraction studies, performed on the uranium ores in powder form allowed to establish their mineralogical composition. Thechemical analysis pointed out the presence, besides the two uranium species, of some microelements able to influence the U^VI/U^IV ratio in minerals and to leach out U^VI as uranyl ions from the corresponding minerals.     

Polarographic analysis. II

Summary The polarography of hexavalent uranium in sulphuric acid solutions of different concentrations and solutions containing sodium sulphate is studied. In 0.01 M H₂SO₄ three waves are obtained corresponding to the successive reduction of U^VI to U^V, U^V to U^IV and U^IV to U^III. The second and third waves intermingle by increasing the H₂SO₄ concentration up to 0.055 M or by adding Na₂SO₄ or sulphosalicylic acid. In 0.25 M H₂SO₄ or in the presence of EDTA the second wave shifts to less negative potentials and intermingles with the first wave, forming a single wave along which reduction of U^VI gives a mixture of U^V and U^IV. The diffusion current of this wave increases up to 1 M H₂SO₄ and then decreases above this acidity. The diffusion current measured at –0.6 V is proportional to the U^VI concentration in the presence of 0.25–0.6 M H₂SO₄. This is not the case in the presence of EDTA. The proportionality is better at lower than at higher acidity.Part I: See Z. analyt. Chem.174, 4 (1960).     

Ex‐Situ Kinetic Investigations of the Formation of the Poly‐Oxo Cluster U38

The ex‐situ qualitative study of the kinetic formation of the poly‐oxo cluster U₃₈, has been investigated after the solvothermal reaction. The resulting products have been characterized by means of powder XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the solid phase and UV/Vis, X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES), extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), and NMR spectroscopies for the supernatant liquid phase. The analysis of the different synthesis batches, stopped at different reaction times, revealed the formation of spherical crystallites of UO₂ from t=3 h, after the formation of unknown solid phases at an early stage. The crystallization of U₃₈ occurred from t=4 h at the expense of UO₂, and is completed after t=8 h. Starting from pure uranium(IV) species in solution (t=0–1 h), oxidation reactions are observed with a U^IV/U^VI ratio of 70:30 for t=1–3 h. Then, the ratio is inversed with a U^IV/U^VI ratio of 25/75, when the precipitation of UO₂ occurs. Thorough SEM observations of the U₃₈ crystallites showed that the UO₂ aggregates are embedded within. This may indicate that UO₂ acts as reservoir of uranium(IV), for the formation of U₃₈, stabilized by benzoate and THF ligands. During the early stages of the U₃₈ crystallization, a transient crystallized phase appeared at t=4 h. Its crystal structure revealed a new dodecanuclear moiety (U₁₂), based on the inner hexanuclear core of {U₆O₈} type, decorated by three additional pairs of dinuclear U₂ units. The U₁₂ motif is stabilized by benzoate, oxalates, and glycolate ligands.     

Oxo–Group‐14‐Element Bond Formation in Binuclear Uranium(V) Pacman Complexes

Simple and versatile routes to the functionalization of uranyl‐derived U^V–oxo groups are presented. The oxo‐lithiated, binuclear uranium(V)–oxo complexes [{(py)₃LiOUO}₂(L)] and [{(py)₃LiOUO}(OUOSiMe₃)(L)] were prepared by the direct combination of the uranyl(VI) silylamide “ate” complex [Li(py)₂][(OUO)(N”)₃] (N”=N(SiMe₃)₂) with the polypyrrolic macrocycle H₄L or the mononuclear uranyl (VI) Pacman complex [UO₂(py)(H₂L)], respectively. These oxo‐metalated complexes display distinct U? O single and multiple bonding patterns and an axial/equatorial arrangement of oxo ligands. Their ready availability allows the direct functionalization of the uranyl oxo group leading to the binuclear uranium(V) oxo–stannylated complexes [{(R₃Sn)OUO}₂(L)] (R=nBu, Ph), which represent rare examples of mixed uranium/tin complexes. Also, uranium–oxo‐group exchange occurred in reactions with [TiCl(OiPr)₃] to form U‐O? C bonds [{(py)₃LiOUO}(OUOiPr)(L)] and [(iPrOUO)₂(L)]. Overall, these represent the first family of uranium(V) complexes that are oxo‐functionalised by Group 14 elements.     

Cyaarside (CAs−) and 1,3‐Diarsaallendiide (AsCAs2−) Ligands Coordinated to Uranium and Generated via Activation of the Arsaethynolate Ligand (OCAs−)

Reaction of the trivalent uranium complex [((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U(DME)] with one molar equiv [Na(OCAs)(dioxane)₃], in the presence of 2.2.2‐crypt, yields [Na(2.2.2‐crypt)][{((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV(THF)}(μ‐O){((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV(CAs)}] ( 1 ), the first example of a coordinated η¹‐cyaarside ligand (CAs^?). Formation of the terminal CAs^? is promoted by the highly reducing, oxophilic U^III precursor [((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U(DME)] and proceeds through reductive C?O bond cleavage of the bound arsaethynolate anion, OCAs^?. If two equiv of OCAs^? react with the U^III precursor, the binuclear, μ‐oxo‐bridged U₂^IV/IV complex [Na(2.2.2‐crypt)]₂[{((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV}₂(μ‐O)(μ‐AsCAs)] ( 2 ), comprising the hitherto unknown μ:η¹,η¹‐coordinated (AsCAs)^2? ligand, is isolated. The mechanistic pathway to 2 involves the decarbonylation of a dimeric intermediate formed in the reaction of 1 with OCAs^?. An alternative pathway to complex 2 is by conversion of 1 via addition of one further equiv of OCAs^?.     

Gas-phase coordination complexes of U(VI)O2(2+), Np(VI)O2(2+), and Pu(VI)O2(2+) with dimethylformamide

Electrospray ionization of actinyl perchlorate solutions in H₂O with 5% by volume of dimethylformamide (DMF) produced the isolatable gas-phase complexes, [An^VIO₂(DMF)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ and [An^VIO₂(DMF)₄]²⁺, where An = U, Np, and Pu. Collision-induced dissociation confirmed the composition of the dipositive coordination complexes, and produced doubly- and singly-charged fragment ions. The fragmentation products reveal differences in underlying chemistries of uranyl, neptunyl, and plutonyl, including the lower stability of Np(VI) and Pu(VI) compared with U(VI).     

Infrared vibrational spectra,electronic structures,and formation reactions of polypyrrolic mono‐ and bis‐actinyl complexes: A relativistic DFT study

The development of synthetic techniques has enabled synthesis and characterization of a series of mono and bis‐uranyl complexes of octadentate polypyrrolic macrocycles such as aryl‐lined H₄L^Ar and anthracenyl‐linked H₄L, which is complemented by theoretical investigation via extending to more toxic and radioactive transuranics. The relativistic density functional theory (DFT) study has been dedicated to twelve actinyl complexes supported by the H₄L ligand. The actinides include U, Np, and Pu elements, and either one or two is rendered in complexes with oxidation states of V or VI. Calculated symmetric/asymmetric An = O stretching vibrational frequencies show the decreasing trend along U, Np, and Pu, which is consistent with calculated bond orders. The hydrogen bonds between –yl endo‐oxo and remaining hydrogen atoms of pyrrolides in mononuclear complexes cause pronounced redshift of An = O vibrational frequencies compared to those in binuclear complexes, so does the reduction from hexa‐ to penta valent complexes. The electronic structures of actinyl complexes were calculated. For example, B‐ pyU^VI possesses low‐lying U(5f )‐character virtual orbitals, where f (δ) and f (?) orbitals occur in low‐energy region and π‐type ones are residing further high; the σ*(U = O) and σ(U = O) orbitals are significantly split over 7 eV. The previous experimental observation that the 1:1 reactions between uranyl salts and the macrocycle tend to give a mixture of bis‐ and mono‐uranyl complexes, with bis‐ the major product, has been corroborated by computational studies of the thermodynamics of the reactions.