Distorted equatorial coordination environments and weakening of U=O bonds in uranyl complexes containing NCN and NPN ligands

Treatment of [UO(2)Cl(2)(thf)(3)] in thf with 2 equiv of Na[PhC(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NCN]) or Na[Ph(2)P(NSiMe(3))(2)] (Na[NPN]) gives uranyl complex [UO(2)(NCN)(2)(thf)] (1) or [UO(2)(NPN)(2)] (3), respectively. Each complex is a rare example of out-of-plane equatorial nitrogen ligand coordination; the latter contains a significantly bent O=U=O unit and represents the first example of a uranyl ion within a quadrilateral-faced monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Removal of the thf in 1 gives [UO(2)(NCN)(2)] (2) with in-plane N donor ligands. Addition of 3 equiv of Na[NCN] gives the tris complex [Na(thf)(2)PhCN][[UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (4.PhCN) with elongation and weakening of one U=O bond through coordination to Na(+). Hydrolysis of 4 provides the oxo-bridged dimer [Na(thf)UO(2)(NCN)(2)](2)(micro(2)-O) (6), a complex with the lowest reported O=U=O symmetrical stretching frequency (nu(1) = 757 cm(-)(1)) for a dinuclear uranyl complex. The anion in complex 4 is unstable in solution but can be stabilized by the introduction of 18-crown-6 to give [Na(18-crown-6)][UO(2)(NCN)(3)] (5). The structures of 1-4 and 6 have been determined by crystallography, and all except 2 show significant deviations of the N ligand atoms from the equatorial plane, driven by the steric bulk of the NCN and NPN ligands. Despite the unusual geometries, these distortions in structure do not appear to have any direct effect on the bonding and electronic structure of the uranyl ion. The main influences toward lowering the U=O bond stretching frequency (nu(1)) are the donating ability of the equatorial ligands, overall charge of the complex, and U=O.Na-type interactions. The intense orange/red colors of these compounds are because of low-energy ligand-to-metal charge-transfer electronic transitions.     

On the coordination symmetry of the hydrated uranyl ion

The literature indicates a four-fold or six-fold coordination symmetry for UO²⁺₂ in aqueous solution. However, the uranyl ion in crystalline UO₂(ClO₄)₂·7H₂O has been found by X-ray diffraction to be coordinated by five water molecules. From the MCD of aqueous UO₂(ClO₄)₂·nH₂O we have found evidence for five-fold coordination. A tentative assignment for the excited states in the visible spectrum is also proposed.     

Effect of anion coordination upon radiationless transitions of the uranyl ion

At 80 K, where the deactivation processes in uranyl luminescence in solutions are temperature independent, the radiationless transition rate depends upon the presence of H₂O in the first coordination sphere of the uranyl ion, UO₂²⁺. It is found that such radiationless transitions are due to a photophysical intramolecular process.     

Extending framework based on the linear coordination polymers: Alternative chains containing lanthanum ion and acrylic acid ligand

One-dimensional alternative chains of two lanthanum complexes: [La(L¹)₃(CH₃OH)(H₂O)₂]·5H₂O (L¹=anion of α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid ) 1 and [La(L²)₃(H₂O)₂]·3H₂O (L²=anion of trans-3-(4-methyl-benzoyl)-acrylic acid) 2 were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, element analysis, IR and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure data are as follows for 1: C₃₁H₃₆LaN₃O₁₇, triclinic, P-1, , , , α=72.7960(10)°, β=83.3820(10)°, γ=67.1650(10)º, Z=2, R₁=0.0377, wR₂=0.0746; for 2: C₃₃H₃₇LaO₁₄, triclinic, P-1, , , , α=81.145(2)°, β=87.591(2)°, γ=67.345(5)°, Z=2, R₁=0.0869, wR₂=0.220. 1 is a rare example of the alternative chain constructed by syn-syn and anti-syn coordination mode of carboxylato ligand arranged along the chain alternatively. La(III) ions in 2 are linked by two η³-O bridges and four bridges (two η²-O and two η³-O) alternatively. Both of the linear coordination polymers grow into two- and three-dimensional networks by packing through extending hydrogen-bond network directed by ligands.     

Aqueous coordination chemistry and photochemistry of uranyl(VI) oxalate revisited: a density functional theory study

Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we revisited a classical problem of uranyl(VI) oxalate photochemical decomposition. Photoreactivities of uranyl(VI) oxalate complexes are found to correlate largely with ligand-structural arrangements. Importantly, the intramolecular photochemical reaction is inhibited when oxalate is bound to uranium exclusively in chelate binding mode. Previously proposed mechanisms involving a UO(2)(C(2)O(4))(2)(2-) (1:2) complex as the main photoreactive species are thus unlikely to apply, because the two oxalic acids are bound to uranium in a chelating binding mode. Our DFT results suggest that the relevant photoreactive species are UO(2)(C(2)O(4))(3)(4-) (1:3) and (UO(2))(2)(C(2)O(4))(5)(6-) (2:5) complexes binding uranium in an unidentate fashion. These species go through decarboxylation upon excitation to the triplet state, which ensues the release of CO(2) and reduction of U(vi) to U(v). The calculations also suggest an alternative intermolecular pathway at low pH via an electron transfer between the excited state *UO(2)(2+) and hydrogen oxalate (HC(2)O(4)(-)) which eventually leads to the production of CO and OH(-) with no net reduction of U(VI). The calculated results are consistent with previous experimental findings that CO is only detected at low pH while U(IV) is detected only at high pH.     

Trioxatriangulenium (TOTA+) as a robust carbon-based Lewis acid in frustrated Lewis pair chemistry

We report the reactivity between the water stable Lewis acidic trioxatriangulenium ion (TOTA⁺) and a series of Lewis bases such as phosphines and N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC). The nature of the Lewis acid–base interaction was analyzed via variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-visible spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. While small and strongly nucleophilic phosphines, such as PMe₃, led to the formation of a Lewis acid–base adduct, frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) were observed for sterically hindered bases such as P(^tBu)₃. The TOTA⁺–P(^tBu)₃ FLP was characterized as an encounter complex, and found to promote the heterolytic cleavage of disulfide bonds, formaldehyde fixation, dehydrogenation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene, heterolytic cleavage of the C–Br bonds, and interception of Staudinger reaction intermediates. Moreover, TOTA⁺ and NHC were found to first undergo single-electron transfer (SET) to form [TOTA]·[NHC]˙⁺, which was confirmed via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, and subsequently form a [TOTA–NHC]⁺ adduct or a mixture of products depending the reaction conditions used.

Frustration at carbon! Herein, we present a frustrated Lewis pair system derived from a water stable carbon-based Lewis acid, trioxatriangulene (TOTA⁺), and a variety of Lewis bases, which successfully promotes bond cleavage and molecule fixation.     

Extending the chemistry of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with H-bonding and secondary coordination

Through hydrogen bonding and secondary coordination, aliphatic amines, together with water and metals, form novel compounds with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene containing complex clusters and layers.     

高氯酸溶液中激发态铀酰离子的发光衰减研究

本文以氮分子激光器为激发光源,研究了激发铀酰离子在高氯酸溶液中的发光衰减和时间分辨发光光谱.铀酰离子的发光衰减与铀浓度以及溶液的pH有关,当铀浓度Cu<10^-^3mol.dn^-^3时,溶液pH为1.5-4.0范围内,发光呈单一指数衰减;当Cu≥10^3^-mol.dm^-^3时,发现发光呈双指数衰减,即除了上述发光组份外,还观察到另一发光寿命较长的组份.用时间分辨方法测得的铀酰溶液的发光光谱表明,上述现象与激发态水合铀酰离子及其水解产物形成的发光体有关.     

Speciation and coordination chemistry of uranyl(VI)-citrate complexes in aqueous solution

The pH dependence of uranyl(VI) complexation by citric acid was investigated using Raman and attenuated total reflection FTIR spectroscopies and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. pH-dependent changes in the nu(s)(UO(2)) envelope indicate that three major UO(2)(2+)-citrate complexes with progressively increasing U=O bond lengths are present over a range of pH from 2.0 to 9.5. The first species, which is the predominant form of uranyl(VI) from pH 3.0 to 5.0, contains two UO(2)(2+) groups in spectroscopically equivalent coordination environments and corresponds to the [(UO(2))(2)Cit(2)](2)(-) complex known to exist in this pH range. At pH values >6.5, [(UO(2))(2)Cit(2)](2)(-) undergoes an interconversion to form [(UO(2))(3)Cit(3)](3)(-) and (UO(2))(3)Cit(2). ESI-MS studies on solutions of varying uranyl(VI)/citrate ratios, pH, and solution counteranion were successfully used to confirm complex stoichiometries. Uranyl and citrate concentrations investigated ranged from 0.50 to 50 mM.     

The polarographic electroreduction of uranyl ion in arsenic acid solution

The electroreduction of uranyl ion in arsenic acid studied by d.c. polarography shows one reduction wave at all the used arsenic acid concentrations corresponding to one electron reduction mechanism. At low arsenic acid concentration (0.1–0.3M) UO₂(ClO₄)₂ is reduced to HUO₂AsO₄. At higher acid concentration (0.6M) the HUO₂AsO₄ molecules are reduced to UO ₂ ⁺ (pentavalent uranium). It is also reliable to study polarographic behaviour of uranyl ions in arsenic acid solutions up topH 3.01. It is also possible to apply this method for the analytical determination of uranyl ion concentrations up to 2mM.

---

Die Polarographische Elektroreduktion von Uranyl-Ion in Arsensäurelösungen

Zusammenfassung Die Elektroreduktion von Uranyl-Ion in Arsensäurelösung zeigte bei allen untersuchten Arsensäurekonzentrationen eine polarographische Reduktionswelle, die einem Einelektronenreduktionsmechanismus entspricht. Bei niederen Arsensäurekonzentrationen (0.1–0.3M) wird UO₂(ClO₄)₂ zu HUO₂AsO₄ reduziert. Bei höheren Säurekonzentrationen (0.6M) werden die HUO₂AsO₄-Moleküle zu UO ₂ ⁺ (fünfwertiges Uran) reduziert. Das polarographische Verhalten der Uranyl-Ionen konnte bis zu einempH von 3.01 untersucht werden. Es ist möglich, diese Methode zur analytischen Bestimmung von Uranyl-Ionen bis zu einer Konzentration von 2 mM einzusetzen.

     

Cluster models in the quantum-chemical analysis of coordination of nitroxide probes to Lewis acid sites on the surface of Al2O3

The results of ESR-spectroscopic and quantum-chemical investigations of the coordination of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineN-oxyl, 2,2,3,4,5,5-hexamethyl-3-imidazolidineN-oxyl, 2,2,4,5,5-pentamethyl-3-imidazolineN-oxyl, 2,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-phenyl-3-imidazolineN-oxyl, and 2,4,5,5-tetramethyl-2-octyl-3-imidazolineN-oxyl to Lewis acid sites (LAS) on alumina surface are described systematically and analyzed. The cluster models of LAS accepted in radiospectroscopy and based on experimental data on g-factors and hyperfine coupling constants with N and Al nuclei in the corresponding donor-acceptor complexes are discussed. Within the framework of the unrestricted Hartree—Fock (UHF) method using the STO-3G, STO-6G, 3–21G, and 6–31G basis sets and also in terms of semiempirical MNDO, AM1, and PM3 procedures, comparative quantum-chemical analysis of the structural, spin, electrostatic, energy, and radiospectroscopic characteristics of the coordination of the model cluster LAS to the simplest representative of nitroxides is performed. Three illustrative types of structures of the resulting surface complex are considered. A semiquantitative interpretation of the whole set of features found experimentally for the coordination of nitroxide probes to the surface LAS on alumina is given. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1743–1756, October, 1997.     

Exploring the uranyl organometallic chemistry: from single to double uranium-carbon bonds

Uranyl organometallic complexes featuring uranium(VI)-carbon single and double bonds have been obtained from uranyl UO(2)X(2) precursors by avoiding reduction of the metal center. X-ray diffraction and density functional theory analyses of these complexes showed that the U-C and U=C bonds are polarized toward the nucleophilic carbon.     

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.     

Contribution to the coordination chemistry of technetium

The universal use of radiophamaceuticals labeled with^99mTc has led to the development of many Tc complexes containing^99mTc⁴⁺ or⁹⁹Tc⁵⁺. In order to assess the correlation between the physiological properties and the chemcial structure of a^99mTc complex, milligramm amounts of the corresponding long-lived^99gTc compound have to be synthesized and analyses. This report describes the synthesis and characterization of several new technetium complexes with ligands containing N, O and S as donor atoms.     

Review: Lanthanide coordination chemistry: from old concepts to coordination polymers

Because of their remarkable and unmatched optical and magnetic properties, the lanthanides are under the limelight when it comes to high technology. These elements are used in strategic applications such as optical glasses and lasers, telecommunications, lighting and displays, magnetic materials, hard-disk drives, security inks and counterfeiting tags, catalysis, biosciences, and medicine, to name but a few. Long considered as minor actors in transition metal chemistry, they have now gained respect from coordination chemists who insert them into sophisticated functional and polyfunctional molecules and materials. This mini review focuses on trivalent lanthanide ions and first summarizes their basic properties. Then some classical aspects of their coordination chemistry are discussed, followed by macrocyclic chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, and self-assembly processes. The last part of this contribution deals with coordination polymers and hybrid materials including potential applications.     

Contributions to the coordination chemistry of technetium

The radionuclide^99mTc is widely used in nuclear medical diagnostics. Radiopharmaceuticals containing coordination compounds labeled with^99mTc⁴⁺ or^99mTc⁵⁺ can be rapidly prepared from pertechnetate eluted from a⁹⁹Mo/^99mTc generator. For the optimization of the imaging agent it is essential to determine the exact chemical structure of the Tc complex. This can be achieved by synthesizing macroscopic amounts of the analogous long-lived^99gTc compound and by its analysis by appropriate spectroscopy methods. We have successfully synthesized and characterized new technetium complexes with amino acids and also with ligands containing nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms.     

High frequency titrations involving chelation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid: Determination of uranyl ion

It has been shown that for the pH range of 3.5 to 4.0, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid reacts with uranyl ion to form a stable salt. The reacting ratio was found to be 2 : 1 (metal to addendum) which is in contrast to the usual reacting ratio of 1 : 1 obtained with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and other heavy metals. The chelate obtained with uranyl ion is probably a pseudo salt.A high frequency titration employing tri-sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate is suggested for the determination of uranyl ion.     

Fluoride ion chelation by a bidentate phosphonium/borane Lewis acid

The phosphonium borane [1-Mes2B-2-MePh2P-(C6H4)]+ ([2]+) has been synthesized as an iodide salt by alkylation of 1-Mes2B-2-Ph2P-(C6H4) with MeI. This novel cationic borane complexes fluoride to afford the corresponding zwitterionic fluoroborate complex 1-FMes2B-2-MePh2P-(C6H4) (2-F) with a binding constant in MeOH exceeding that of 1-Mes2B-4-MePh2P-(C6H4) ([1]+) by at least 4 orders of magnitude. Structural and computational results indicate that the high fluorophilicity of [2]+ arises from both Coulombic and cooperative effects which lead to formation of a B-F-->P interaction with a F-->P distance of 2.666(2) A. These results, which are supported by NBO and AIM analyses, show that the latent phosphorus-centered Lewis acidity of the phosphonium moiety in [2]+ can be exploited to enhance fluoride binding via chelation.     

Photochemical reduction of uranyl ion in nitric acid medium using a XeCl excimer laser

This paper describes the results of photoreduction of uranyl (UO₂ ²⁺) ion to U⁴⁺ in 0.2M HNO₃ and ethanol using a 308 nm XeCl excimer laser. The effects of different concentrations of ethanol and the addition of sulfamic acid on the quantum yield for U⁴⁺ formation are discussed.     

Aminoalkylbis(phenolate) [O,N,O] donor ligands for uranyl(VI) ion coordination: Syntheses,structures, and extraction studies

The syntheses of five new aminoalkylbis(phenolate) ligands (as hydrochlorides) and their uranyl complexes are described. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and phenolic ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminopropane) · HCl], H₂L1 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex [UO₂(HL1)₂] · 2CH₃CN (1). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminobutane) · HCl], H₂L2 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL2)₂] · 2CH₃CN (2). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methyl benzyl)-1-aminohexane) · HCl], H₂L3 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-cyclohexylamine) · HCl], H₂L4 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL4)₂] (4). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-benzylamine) · HCl], H₂L5 · HCl, forms a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(HL5)₂] · 2MeOH (5). The molecular structures of 1, 2′ (2 without methanol), 3, 4 and 5 were verified by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1–5 are neutral zwitterions which form in a molar ratio of 1:2 (U to L) in the presence of a base (triethylamine) and bear similar mononuclear, distorted octahedral uranyl structures with the four coordinating phenoxo ligands forming an equatorial plane and resulting in a centrosymmetric structure for the uranyl ion. In uranyl ion extraction studies from water to dichloromethane with ligands H₂L1 · HCl–H₂L5 · HCl, the ligands H₂L2 · HCl and H₂L4 · HCl are the most effective ones.