Synthesis and structural studies of a bis(carbamoyl methyl) sulfoxide complex of uranyl nitrate

A new tri-functional ligand ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂ was prepared and characterized. The coordination chemistry of this ligand with uranyl nitrate was studied with IR, ¹H NMR, electrospray mass–spectrometry, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The structure of [UO₂(NO₃)₂(ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The uranium(VI) ion is surrounded by eight oxygens in a hexagonal bipyramidal geometry. Four oxygens from two nitrates and two oxygens from the ligand form a planar hexagon. The ligand is a bidentate chelate, bonding through sulfoxo and one of the carbamoyl groups to uranyl nitrate.