Column chromatographic separation of uranium(VI) and other elements using poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) and ascorbic acid medium

A selective and very effective separation method for uranium(VI) has been developed by using poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) and column chromatography. The separations are carried out from ascorbic acid medium. The adsorption of uranium(VI) was quantitative from 0.00002 to 0.006 M ascorbic acid. The elution of uranium(VI) was quantitative with 2.0-8.0 M HCl and 2.0-5.0 M H2SO4. The capacity of poly(dibenzo-18-crown-6) for uranium(VI) was found to be 0.92 +/- 0.01 mmol g(-1) of crown polymer. Uranium(VI) was separated from a number of cations in binary as well as in multicomponent mixtures. The method was extended to the determination of uranium in geological samples. It is possible to separate and determine 5 ppm of uranium(VI) by this method. The method is very simple, rapid, selective and has good reproducibility (approximately +/- 2%).     

Solvent extraction and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde 2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone

Pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde 2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone (PAHB) is proposed as an extractant for the separation and spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI). The optimum extraction conditions have been evaluated by studying various parameters such as pH, diluents, equilibration time and reagent concentration. PAHB forms yellow colored complex with uranium(VI) in the pH range of 3.5-4.6 which can be extracted by isobutyl methyl ketone. The extracted complex exhibits an absorption maximum at 375 nm. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range 1.0-5.6 ppm of uranium(VI). The nature of the extracted species (1:2) was determined by log D-log c plot. The proposed method permits selective separation of uranium(VI) from its binary mixtures. The method is also applied for the estimation of uranium in multicomponent mixtures and monazite sand.     

Synthesis of a uranium(VI)-carbene: reductive formation of uranyl(V)-methanides, oxidative preparation of a [R2C═U═O]2+ analogue of the [O═U═O]2+ uranyl ion (R = Ph2PNSiMe3), and comparison of the nature of U(IV)═C, U(V)═C, and U(VI)═C double bonds

We report attempts to prepare uranyl(VI)- and uranium(VI) carbenes utilizing deprotonation and oxidation strategies. Treatment of the uranyl(VI)-methanide complex [(BIPMH)UO(2)Cl(THF)] [1, BIPMH = HC(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)] with benzyl-sodium did not afford a uranyl(VI)-carbene via deprotonation. Instead, one-electron reduction and isolation of di- and trinuclear [UO(2)(BIPMH)(μ-Cl)UO(μ-O){BIPMH}] (2) and [UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)(μ(3)-Cl){UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)}(2)] (3), respectively, with concomitant elimination of dibenzyl, was observed. Complexes 2 and 3 represent the first examples of organometallic uranyl(V), and 3 is notable for exhibiting rare cation-cation interactions between uranyl(VI) and uranyl(V) groups. In contrast, two-electron oxidation of the uranium(IV)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(3)Li(THF)(2)] (4) by 4-morpholine N-oxide afforded the first uranium(VI)-carbene [(BIPM)UOCl(2)] (6). Complex 6 exhibits a trans-CUO linkage that represents a [R(2)C═U═O](2+) analogue of the uranyl ion. Notably, treatment of 4 with other oxidants such as Me(3)NO, C(5)H(5)NO, and TEMPO afforded 1 as the only isolable product. Computational studies of 4, the uranium(V)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(2)I] (5), and 6 reveal polarized covalent U═C double bonds in each case whose nature is significantly affected by the oxidation state of uranium. Natural Bond Order analyses indicate that upon oxidation from uranium(IV) to (V) to (VI) the uranium contribution to the U═C σ-bond can increase from ca. 18 to 32% and within this component the orbital composition is dominated by 5f character. For the corresponding U═C π-components, the uranium contribution increases from ca. 18 to 26% but then decreases to ca. 24% and is again dominated by 5f contributions. The calculations suggest that as a function of increasing oxidation state of uranium the radial contraction of the valence 5f and 6d orbitals of uranium may outweigh the increased polarizing power of uranium in 6 compared to 5.     

Complexation of uranium(VI) with protocatechuic acid—application of iterative transformation factor analysis to EXAFS spectroscopy

The speciation of 1 mM uranium(VI) in carbonate-free aqueous solutions of 50 mM protocatechuic acid (PCA, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid) was studied in the pH range of 4.0 to 6.8 using EXAFS spectroscopy. The uranium L_III-edge EXAFS spectra were analyzed using a newly developed computer algorithm for iterative transformation factor analysis (FA). Two structural different uranium(VI) complexes were observed. The speciation in the pH range of 4.0 to 4.8 is dominated by a 1:2 or 1:3 uranium(VI)/PCA complex with bidentate coordination of the carboxyl group to the uranium(VI) moiety. Already at pH 4.6 significant amounts of a second species are formed. This uranium(VI) species contains two PCA ligands that are bound to the uranium via their neighboring phenolic hydroxyl groups under formation of five-member rings.     

Organophosphinic,phosphonic acids and their binary mixtures as extractants for molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) from aqueous HCl media

Extraction studies of uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI) with organophosphoric, phosphinic acid and its thiosubstituted derivatives have been carried out from 0.1–1.0M HCl solutions. The extracted species are proposed to be UO₂R₂ and MoO₂ CIR on the basis of slope analysis for uranium(VI) and molybdenum(VI), respectively. The extraction efficiencies of PC-88A, Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 in the extraction of molybdenum(VI) and uranium(VI) are compared. Synergistic effects have been studied with binary mixtures of extractants. Separation of molybdenum(VI) from uranium(VI) is feasible by Cyanex 301 from 1M HCl, the separation factor log being 2.3.     

Improved spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) with 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol in the presence of benzyldimethylstearyltrimethylammonium chloride

An improved spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) is proposed using 4-(2-pyridylazo)resorcinol(PAR) in the presence of benzyldimethylstearyltrimethylammonium chloride(BSTAC) as a cationic surfactant. The calibration graph is linear in the range of 0.3-60 microg/10 ml uranium(VI), measuring the absorbance at 550 nm. The reproducibility for 19.0 microg/10 ml uranium(VI) is 0.57%. The third-derivative method using the third-derivative distance (d(3)A/dlambda(3)) among lambda(1) 530 nm, lambda(3) 594 nm and lambda(2) 565 nm was also investigated.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of some actinides with polyethyleneglycol and its derivatives

Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) and its derivatives of high molecular weight were found to be employed as useful extractants for the solvent extraction of uranium. The extraction behaviors of uranium and neptunium were investigated, particularly concerning the dependence of the extractibility of uranium(VI) on the molecular weight of PEG. A dominating species of the extracted uranium(VI) thiocyanate complexes was assumed to be NH₄ UO₂(SCN)₃·(PEG). The extraction of protactinium was also preliminarily studied. The extraction of these actinides from an acidic thiocyanate solution increased in the order: uranium(VI)>protactinium(V)>neptunium(V).     

An EXAFS and TRLFS investigation on uranium(VI) sorption to pristine and leached albite surfaces

Uranium(VI) was sorbed to freshly ground and leached albite in batch and flow-through systems in the pH range 5.0-6.4. The uranium(VI) surface complexes were studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy and time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The EXAFS analysis of uranium(VI) sorbed on albite at pH 5.8 and 5 x 10(-6) M U(VI) showed one silicon atom at a USi distance of 3.09 A, which is indicative of the formation of an inner-sphere, mononuclear, bidentate uranium(VI) surface complex, Si(O)2UO2, on the silicate tetrahedra of albite. Two additional uranium(VI) sorption complexes were detected by TRLFS at higher initial aqueous U(VI) concentrations. However, the structure of these surface complexes could not be derived from EXAFS, since the measured EXAFS spectra represent the average of two surface complex structures. In order to simulate U(VI) sorption onto weathered feldspar surfaces, albite was leached with 0.01 M HClO4, resulting in surface material similar to amorphous silica gel. EXAFS showed that the equatorial oxygen shell of uranium(VI) sorbed on this material at pH 5.0 and 5.8 was split in two distances of 2.23 and 2.44 A. This indicates the formation of an inner-sphere surface complex.     

Polarographic behaviour of uranium beta-diketonates in chloroform Application of ac polarography to the analysis of uranium minerals

The polarographic behaviour of U(VI) β-diketonates has been studied in chloroform. The conditions for reversible electrochemical reduction of U(VI) acetylacetonate and benzoylacetonate at a dropping mercury electrode was optimized by using a suitable ratio of piperidinium perchlorate and piperidine mixture as supporting electrolyte in chloroform. The one-electron nature of the reduction wave of U(VI) complexes was confirmed by controlled potential coulometry. The ac method preceded by a solvent extraction of U(VI) benzoylacetonate in chloroform was used for the determination of uranium. The calibration curve was linear over the range 0.5–20 μ/ml. The correlation coefficient was 0.9998 and the detection limit was about 0.2 μ/ml. The interference of some concomitant ions were examined and EDTA was used as an effective masking agent to separate uranium from other metals. The proposed method has been applied to the determination of uranium in uranium minerals.     

Mixed-valent uranium(IV,VI) diphosphonate: synthesis, structure, and spectroscopy

A mixed-valent uranium(IV,VI) diphosphonate, (H(3)O)(2)(UO(2))(3)U(H(2)O)(2)[CH(2)(PO(3))(2)](3)·6H(2)O (UC1P2S), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. S-2-butanol was used to reduce uranium VI to IV. The tetravalent uranium centers adopt eight-coordinate geometries, while hexavalent uranyl units are all tetragonal bipyramids. The UV-vis-NIR spectrum of UC1P2S shows absorption features for both U(VI) and U(IV).     

Oxidation state and coordination environment of uranium in sodium iron aluminophosphate glasses

An analysis of the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of uranium determined the oxidation state and coordination environment of uranium atoms in glasses containing 40 mol % Na₂O, 10 mol % Al₂O₃, 10 mol % Fe₂O₃, and 40 mol % P₂O₅ to which uranium oxides were added to a concentration of 50 wt % (above 100%). If the added amount of UO₂ was small, uranium occurred as U(IV) in a near-octahedral oxygen environment with an average U–O distance in the first coordination sphere of 2.25 Å. At higher concentrations of uranium oxides introduced both as UO₂ and as UO₃, uranium occurred as U(V) and U(VI); the first coordination sphere is split; shorter (~1.7–1.8 Å) and longer (2.2–2.3 Å) distances were observed, which corresponded to the axial and equatorial U–O bonds in uranyl ions, respectively; and the redox equilibrium shifted toward U(VI). The glass with the maximal (~33 wt %) UO₃ concentration contained mainly U(VI). The existence of low-valence uranium species can be related to the presence of Fe(II) in glasses. The second coordination sphere of uranium manifests itself only at high concentrations of uranium oxides.     

Preconcentration of trace uranium from seawater with solid phase extraction followed by differential pulse polarographic determination in chloroform eluate

In the present study, an effective method is presented for the separation and preconcentration of uranium (VI) by solid phase extraction (SPE). For this purpose, U(VI) oxinate is formed by the reaction of U(VI) with 8-hydroxyquinoline and adsorbed onto the octylsilane (C-8) SPE cartridge. The analyte is completely eluted with chloroform and determined by differential pulse polarography. The SPE conditions were optimized by evaluating the effective factors such as pH, oxine concentration, type and concentration of buffer and masking agent. By the proposed method a preconcentration factor more than 100 was achieved. The average recovery of uranium (VI) oxinate (0.1 mg l(-1)) was 99.8%. The relative standard deviation was 1.6% for seven replicate determinations of uranyl ion in the solution with a concentration 20 mug l(-1). Some concomitant ions such as Ca(+2), Mg(+2) and Fe(+3) which interfere in extraction or determination process of uranium were masked with EDTA in aqueous phase during the extraction process. The proposed method was successfully used for the determination of uranium in Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf water samples.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of Th4+ and UO 2 2+ by LIX-26 and its mixtures

Solvent extractions of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by a commercially available chelating extractant LIX-26 (an alkylated 8-hydroxyquinoline) or 8-hydroxyquinoline, benzoic or salicylic acid, dipentyl sulphoxide (DPSO) and their mixtures with butanol as modifier in benzene/methylisobutyl ketone (MIBK) as the diluent have been studied. Extraction of uranium(VI) by 10% LIX-26 and 10% butanol in benzene becomes quantitative at pH 5.0. The pH 0.5 values for the extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are 4.95 and 3.35, respectively. Quantitative extraction of thorium(IV) by the mixture of 0.1 M oxine and 0.1 M salicylic acid in methylisobutyl ketone was observed at pH 5.0. The influence of concentration of various anions on the extraction of Th⁴⁺ by mixtures of LIX-26 and benzoic acid has been studied. Studies on extraction of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by mixtures of LIX-26 (HQ) and DPSO show that the extracted species are possibly of the type [ThQ₂/DPSO/₂/SCN/₂] and [UO₂Q₂/DPSO/], respectively.     

Kinetic study of uranium speciation in model solutions and in natural waters using Competitive Ligand Exchange Method

Kinetic speciation of uranium in model solutions containing uranium and humic acid (HA) and in natural waters has been investigated by Competitive Ligand Exchange Method (CLEM). In alkaline freshwaters, most of uranium species were uranium-carbonate species, which were labile in the CLEM experiment. The uranium speciation of every sample was characterized either as “labile” or “non-labile” uranium complexes depending on the dissociation rate coefficients of the complexes. The results showed that as the U(VI)/HA ratio was decreased, the dissociation rate coefficients decreased and the labile fraction decreased as well. When the U(VI)/HA ratio was 0.1, the labile fraction of the U(VI)-HA increased with increasing pH; however, there was no pH effect on the dissociation of U(VI)-HA complexes at lower U(VI)/HA ratios. Chelex-100 had some limitations in its use for the study of dissociation of U(VI)-HA complex at very low U(VI)/HA ratios. By developing an analytical method and procedure for quantitative determination of kinetic parameters for the dissociation of uranium-HA complexes in model solutions and natural waters, this work has made a substantial contribution to analytical chemistry.     

Photoluminescence of Uranium(VI): Quenching Mechanism and Role of Uranium(V)

The photoluminescence of uranium(VI) is observed typically in the wavelength range 400–650 nm with the lifetime of several hundreds μs and is known to be quenched in the presence of various halide ions (case A) or alcohols (case B). Here, we show by density functional theory (DFT) calculations that the quenching involves an intermediate triplet excited state that exhibits uranium(V) character. The DFT results are consistent with previous experimental findings suggesting the presence of photoexcited uranium(V) radical pair during the quenching process. In the ground state of uranyl(VI) halides, the ligand contributions to the highest occupied molecular orbitals increase with the atomic number (Z) of halide ion allowing larger ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT) between uranium and the halide ion. Consequently, a larger quenching effect is expected as Z increases. The quenching mechanism is essentially the same in cases A and B, and is driven by an electron transfer from the quencher to the UO₂²⁺ entity. The relative energetic stabilities of the triplet excited state define the “fate” of uranium, so that in case A uranium(V) is oxidized back to uranium(VI), while in case B uranium remains as pentavalent.     

Solvent extraction separation of uranium(VI) with dibenzo-24-crown-8

Uranium(VI) was quantitatively extracted with 0.01M DB-24-crown-8 in nitrobenzene from 6 to 10M hydrochloric acid. From the organic phase uranium was stripped with 2M nitric acid and determined spectrophotometrically with PAR at 530 nm. Uranium(VI) was separated from a large number of elements in binary mixtures as well as from multicomponent mixtures. The method was extended to the analysis of uranium in geological samples and animal bone.     

Spectrophotometric method for the direct determination of uranium in carbonate solution

Summary A spectrophotometric method for direct determination of uranium in carbonate solution has been developed. No extraction or decomposition steps are necessary. The highly sensitive (4-2-pyridylazo) resorcinol, as well as 2-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol, producing very stable uranium(VI) complexes, were used for its spectrophotometric determination.The usefulness of the proposed methods was examined by determination of uranium in real samples from a wet-process phosphoric acid estimation of uranium.     

Biosorption of uranium(VI) by a mangrove endophytic fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium sp</Emphasis>. #ZZF51 from the South China Sea

The uranium(VI) accumulation was studied in detail by using the biomass of mangrove endophytic fungus Fusarium sp.#ZZF51 from the South China Sea. The uranium(VI) biosorption process onto the tested fungus powders was optimized at pH 4.0, adsorption time 60 min, and uranium(VI) initial concentration 50 mg L⁻¹ with 61.89% of removal efficiency. According to Fourier transform infrared spectra for the tested fungus before and after loaded with uranium(VI), the results showed that both of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups acted as the important roles in the adsorption process. In addition, the experimental data were analyzed by using parameter and kinetic models, and it was obtained that the Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model provided better correlation with the experimental data for adsorption of uranium(VI).     

Extraction of uranium(VI)-pyridylazo dye complexes into a droplet of lipophilic polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether (PONPE-2) for subsequent spectrophotometry

Polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether with 2 oxyethylene units (PONPE-2) is immiscible with water and is suspended on the surface of aqueous layer as a droplet. Its unique property is applied to the solvent extraction of uranium(VI) with 5-Br-PADAP. Uranium(VI) chelates are quantitatively enriched into a small volume of PONPE-2 and the absorbance was measured in the mixed ethanol solution. The apparent molar absorptivity of uranium(VI)-5-Br-PADAP complex at 578 nm is 6.46×10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1 and the calibration curve is linear over the range of 0.7–7 g of uranium(VI) per 1.5 ml of the final solution.     

Electroreduction of uranium (VI) at a platinum electrode and its analytical applications

Under normal conditions, the reduction of uranium(VI) at a platinum electrode, in acid solutions, is masked by the reduction of the hydrogen ion. If the working electrode is subjected to hydrogen evolution (at a current density of about 7 A cm (2) for 90-120 min) the H(ads) on the platinum surface, acting as a bridge in the electron transfer, shifts the reduction wave of uranium(VI), in 1M sulphuric acid solutions, to potentials (E(1 2 ) congruent with - 0.03 V) less negative than that of the hydrogen discharge (about -0.25 V). The wave corresponding to the reduction of uranium(VI) to uranium(IV) is well shaped, diffusion-controlled, and can be used for the determination of uranium down to 2 x 10(-5)M or 3 x 10(-6)M if a rotating electrode is used. Interferences arise from those ions with similar E(1 2 ) [i.e., Cu(II) and Bi(III)], or from those such as permanganate and dichromate, which oxidize the H(ads) on the platinum electrode. Because of the time required for the electrode pretreatment, the determination is time-consuming but in some respects it appears a useful improvement over the DME.