Structure of [UO2Cl4]2- in acetonitrile

The complex formation of uranyl UO(2)(2+) with chloride ions in acetonitrile was studied by UV-vis and U L(III) EXAFS spectroscopy. The investigations unambiguously point to the existence of a UO(2)Cl(4)](2-) species in solution with D(4)(h)() symmetry. The distances in the U(VI) coordination sphere are U-O(ax) = 1.77 +/- 0.01 Angstroms and U-Cl = 2.68 +/- 0.01 Angstroms.