Solution and Solid-State Structural Chemistry of Actinide Hydrates and Their Hydrolysis and Condensation Products

Recent advances in structural studies of heterometallic uranyl-containing coordination polymers and polynuclear closed species

A survey is given of recent original structural results on heterometallic species incorporating uranyl ions, particularly with carboxylate ligands.

Mechanisms of neptunium redox reactions in nitric acid solutions

This work explores the mechanisms of inter-conversions among the various oxidation states of neptunium in aqueous HNO₃, and the effect of HNO₃ on their electronic structures.

Capture of actinides (Th4+, [UO2]2+) and surrogating lanthanide (Nd3+) in porous metal–organic framework MIL-100(Al) from water: selectivity and imaging of embedded nanoparticles

Aluminium-based metal–organic framework MIL-100 was utilized for the capture of actinide ([UO₂]²⁺, Th⁴⁺) and lanthanide (Nd³⁺) cations.

A Comparison of Adsorption, Reduction, and Polymerization of the Plutonyl(VI) and Uranyl(VI) Ions from Solution onto the Muscovite Basal Plane

X-ray scattering techniques [in situ resonant anomalous X-ray reflectivity (RAXR) and specular crystal truncation rods (CTR)] were used to compare muscovite (001) surfaces in contact with solutions containing either 0.1 mM plutonyl(VI) or 1 mM uranyl(VI) at pH = 3.2 ± 0.2, I(NaCl) = 0.1 M, as well as in situ grazing-incidence X-ray absorption near-edge structure (GI XANES) spectroscopy and ex situ alpha spectrometry. Details of the surface coverage are found to be very different. In the case of Pu, alpha spectrometry finds a surface coverage of 8.3 Pu/A_UC (A_UC = 46.72 Ų, the unit cell area), far in excess of the 0.5 Pu/A_UC expected for ionic adsorption of PuO₂²⁺. GI XANES results show that Pu is predominantly tetravalent on the surface, and the CTR/RAXR results show that the adsorbed Pu is broadly distributed. Taken together with previous findings, the results are consistent with adsorption of Pu in the form of Pu(IV)-oxo-nanoparticles. In contrast, uranyl shows only negligible, if any, adsorption according to all methods applied. These results are discussed and compared within the context of known Pu and U redox chemistry.

Spectroscopic and computational investigation of actinium coordination chemistry

Actinium-225 is a promising isotope for targeted-α therapy. Unfortunately, progress in developing chelators for medicinal applications has been hindered by a limited understanding of actinium chemistry. This knowledge gap is primarily associated with handling actinium, as it is highly radioactive and in short supply. Hence, Ac^III reactivity is often inferred from the lanthanides and minor actinides (that is, Am, Cm), with limited success. Here we overcome these challenges and characterize actinium in HCl solutions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and molecular dynamics density functional theory. The Ac–Cl and Ac–O_H2O distances are measured to be 2.95(3) and 2.59(3) Å, respectively. The X-ray absorption spectroscopy comparisons between Ac^III and Am^III in HCl solutions indicate Ac^III coordinates more inner-sphere Cl^1– ligands (3.2±1.1) than Am^III (0.8±0.3). These results imply diverse reactivity for the +3 actinides and highlight the unexpected and unique Ac^III chemical behaviour.

Actinium-225 is a promising isotope for α-therapy but progress in developing its chemistry is hindered by its high radioactivity and short supply. Here, the authors characterize actinium coordination in HCl solutions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy and molecular dynamics density functional theory.

An Unprecedented Two-Fold Nested Super-Polyrotaxane: Sulfate-Directed Hierarchical Polythreading Assembly of Uranyl Polyrotaxane Moieties

The hierarchical assembly of well-organized submoieties could lead to more complicated superstructures with intriguing properties. We describe herein an unprecedented polyrotaxane polythreading framework containing a two-fold nested super-polyrotaxane substructure, which was synthesized through a uranyl-directed hierarchical polythreading assembly of one-dimensional polyrotaxane chains and two-dimensional polyrotaxane networks. This special assembly mode actually affords a new way of supramolecular chemistry instead of covalently linked bulky stoppers to construct stable interlocked rotaxane moieties. An investigation of the synthesis condition shows that sulfate can assume a vital role in mediating the formation of different uranyl species, especially the unique trinuclear uranyl moiety [(UO2 )3 O(OH)2 ](2+) , involving a notable bent [O=U=O] bond with a bond angle of 172.0(9)°. Detailed analysis of the coordination features, the thermal stability as well as a fluorescence, and electrochemical characterization demonstrate that the uniqueness of this super-polyrotaxane structure is mainly closely related to the trinuclear uranyl moiety, which is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations.

Oxyhydroxy Silicate Colloids: A New Type of Waterborne Actinide(IV) Colloids

At the near-neutral and reducing aquatic conditions expected in undisturbed ore deposits or in closed nuclear waste repositories, the actinides Th, U, Np, and Pu are primarily tetravalent. These tetravalent actinides (AnIV) are sparingly soluble in aquatic systems and, hence, are often assumed to be immobile. However, AnIV could become mobile if they occur as colloids. This review focuses on a new type of AnIV colloids, oxyhydroxy silicate colloids. We herein discuss the chemical characteristics of these colloids and the potential implication for their environmental behavior. The binary oxyhydroxy silicate colloids of AnIV could be potentially more mobile as a waterborne species than the well-known mono-component oxyhydroxide colloids.

Extraction of local coordination structure in a low-concentration uranyl system by XANES

Obtaining structural information of uranyl species at an atomic/molecular scale is a critical step to control and predict their physical and chemical properties. To obtain such information, experimental and theoretical L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectra of uranium were studied systematically for uranyl complexes. It was demonstrated that the bond lengths (R) in the uranyl species and relative energy positions (ΔE) of the XANES were determined as follows: ΔE1 = 168.3/R(U-Oax)(2) - 38.5 (for the axial plane) and ΔE2 = 428.4/R(U-Oeq)(2) - 37.1 (for the equatorial plane). These formulae could be used to directly extract the distances between the uranium absorber and oxygen ligand atoms in the axial and equatorial planes of uranyl ions based on the U L3-edge XANES experimental data. In addition, the relative weights were estimated for each configuration derived from the water molecule and nitrate ligand based on the obtained average equatorial coordination bond lengths in a series of uranyl nitrate complexes with progressively varied nitrate concentrations. Results obtained from XANES analysis were identical to that from extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) analysis. XANES analysis is applicable to ubiquitous uranyl-ligand complexes, such as the uranyl-carbonate complex. Most importantly, the XANES research method could be extended to low-concentration uranyl systems, as indicated by the results of the uranyl-amidoximate complex (∼40 p.p.m. uranium). Quantitative XANES analysis, a reliable and straightforward method, provides a simplified approach applied to the structural chemistry of actinides.

The interaction of actinide and lanthanide ions with hemoglobin and its relevance to human and environmental toxicology

Due to increasing use of lanthanides/actinides in nuclear and civil applications, understanding the impact of these metal ions on human health and environment is a growing concern. Hemoglobin (Hb), which occurs in all the kingdom of living organism, is the most abundant protein in human blood. In present study, effect of lanthanides and actinides [thorium: Th(IV), uranium: U(VI), lanthanum: La(III), cerium: Ce(III) and (IV)] on the structure and function of Hb has been investigated. Results showed that these metal ions, except Ce(IV) interacted with carbonyl and amide groups of Hb, which resulted in the loss of its alpha-helix conformation. However, beyond 75μM, these ions affected heme moiety. Metal-heme interaction was found to affect oxygen-binding of Hb, which seems to be governed by their closeness with the charge-to-ionic-radius ratio of iron(III). Consistently, Ce(IV) being closest to iron(III), exhibited a greater effect on heme. Binding constant and binding stoichiometry of Th(IV) were higher than that of U(VI). Experiments using aquatic midge Chironomus (possessing human homologous Hb) and human blood, further validated metal-Hb interaction and associated toxicity. Thus, present study provides a biochemical basis to understand the actinide/lanthanide-induced interference in heme, which may have significant implications for the medical and environmental management of lanthanides/actinides toxicity.

First structural characterization of Pa(iv) in aqueous solution and quantum chemical investigations of the tetravalent actinides up to Bk(IV): the evidence of a curium break

More than a century after its discovery the structure of the Pa(4+) ion in acidic aqueous solution has been investigated for the first time experimentally and by quantum chemistry. The combined results of EXAFS data and quantum chemically optimized structures suggest that the Pa(4+) aqua ion has an average of nine water molecules in its first hydration sphere at a mean Pa-O distance of 2.43 Å. The data available for the early tetravalent actinide (An) elements from Th(4+) to Bk(4+) show that the An-O bonds have a pronounced electrostatic character, with bond distances following the same monotonic decreasing trend as the An(4+) ionic radii, with a decrease of the hydration number from nine to eight for the heaviest ions Cm(4+) and Bk(4+). Being the first open-shell tetravalent actinide, Pa(4+) features a coordination chemistry very similar to its successors. The electronic configuration of all open-shell systems corresponds to occupation of the valence 5f orbitals, without contribution from the 6d orbitals. Our results thus demonstrate that Pa(iv) resembles its early actinide neighbors.

B-α-[AsW9O33](9-) polyoxometalates incorporating hexanuclear uranium {U6O8}-like clusters bearing the U(IV) form or unprecedented mixed valence U(IV)/U(VI) involving direct U(VI)=O-U(IV) bonding

The use of B-α-[AsW9O33](9-) anionic moieties in association with the tetravalent 5f uranium UCl4 precursor affords three new hexanuclear uranium {U6O8}-like clusters embedded in a polyoxometalate architecture. Two of them are constituted by an unprecedented uranium mixed valence U(IV)/U(VI) cluster.

Chemical controls on uranyl citrate speciation and the self-assembly of nanoscale macrocycles and sandwich complexes in aqueous solutions

Uranyl citrate forms trimeric species at pH > 5.5, but exact structural characteristics of these important oligomers have not previously been reported. Crystallization and structural characterization of the trimers suggests the self-assembly of the 3 : 3 and 3 : 2 U : Cit complexes into larger sandwich and macrocyclic molecules. Raman spectroscopy and ESI-MS have been utilized to investigate the relative abundance of these species in solution under varying pH and citrate concentrations. Additional dynamic light scattering experiments indicate that self-assembly of the larger molecules does occur in aqueous solution.

The interaction of human serum albumin with selected lanthanide and actinide ions: Binding affinities, protein unfolding and conformational changes

Human serum albumin (HSA), the most abundant soluble protein in blood plays critical roles in transportation of biomolecules and maintenance of osmotic pressure. In view of increasing applications of lanthanides- and actinides-based materials in nuclear energy, space, industries and medical applications, the risk of exposure with these metal ions is a growing concern for human health. In present study, binding interaction of actinides/lanthanides [thorium: Th(IV), uranium: U(VI), lanthanum: La(III), cerium: Ce(III) and (IV)] with HSA and its structural consequences have been investigated. Ultraviolet-visible, Fourier transform-infrared, Raman, Fluorescence and Circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques were applied to study the site of metal ions interaction, binding affinity determination and the effect of metal ions on protein unfolding and HSA conformation. Results showed that these metal ions interacted with carbonyl (CO..:)/amide(N..-H) groups and induced exposure of aromatic residues of HSA. The fluorescence analysis indicated that the actinide binding altered the microenvironment around Trp214 in the subdomain IIA. Binding affinity of U(VI) to HSA was slightly higher than that of Th(IV). Actinides and Ce(IV) altered the secondary conformation of HSA with a significant decrease of α-helix and an increase of β-sheet, turn and random coil structures, indicating a partial unfolding of HSA. A correlation was observed between metal ion's ability to alter HSA conformation and protein unfolding. Both cationic effects and coordination ability of metal ions seemed to determine the consequences of their interaction with HSA. Present study improves our understanding about the protein interaction of these heavy ions and their impact on its secondary structure. In addition, binding characteristics may have important implications for the development of rational antidote for the medical management of health effects of actinides and lanthanides.

A family of uranium–carboxylic acid hybrid materials: synthesis, structure and mixed-dye selective adsorption

The synthesis, structure, photoluminescence, surface photovoltage and mixed-dye selective adsorption of four uranyl complexes have been studied.

Centrosymmetric and chiral porous thorium organic frameworks exhibiting uncommon thorium coordination environments

The solvothermal reaction of thorium nitrate and tris-(4-carboxylphenyl)phosphine oxide in DMF affords a centrosymmetric porous thorium organic framework compound [Th(TPO)(OH)(H2O)]·8H2O (1). In contrast, the ionothermal reaction of the same reagents in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium chloride results in the formation of a rare example of a chiral and porous thorium organic framework compound, [C9H17N2][Th(TPO)Cl2]·18H2O (2), which is derived solely from achiral starting materials. The geometries of the Th(iv) centers in compounds 1 and 2 are both atypical for low valent actinides, which can be best described as a ten-coordinate spherical sphenocorona and an irregular muffin, respectively. A large cavity of 17.5 Å (max. face to face) × 8 Å (min. face to face) with a BET surface area of 623 m(2) g(-1) in compound 2 is observed. The poor stability indicated by thermal gravimetric analysis and the water-resistance test for compound 2 may be due to the unique anisotropic coordination geometry for thorium. Temperature-dependent luminescence studies for both compounds indicate that the trends in the intensity vary as the Th-Th distance and the coordination environments of Th(iv) centers change.

New thorium(iv)-arsonates with a [Th8O13]6+ octanuclear core

Three new octanuclear Th(iv) arsonates, namely [Th(8)(O)(L)(6)(HL)(6)(H(2)O)(12)]·19.5H(2)O (1) (H(3)L = o-HO(3)S-C(6)H(4)-AsO(3)H(2)), [Th(8)(O)(L)(6)(HL)(6)(H(2)O)(10)]·17H(2)O (2) and [Th(8)(O)(L)(6)(HL)(6)(H(2)O)(5)]·0.5H(2)O (3), with o-sulfophenylarsonic acid as the bridging ligand, have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Each complex contains [Th(8)O(13)](6+) octanuclear cluster cores composed of two [Th(4)O(6)](4+) units bridged by a μ(2)-oxo anion. The structure of compound features a 0D highly symmetric polynuclear cluster encapsulating the octanuclear core of [Th(8)O(13)](6+) which is further decorated by six L(3-) and six HL(2-) ligands. Compound 2 features one-dimensional chains along the b-axis in which the neighboring clusters similar to are bridged by a pair of sulfophenylarsonate ligands via M-O-S-O-M bridges. Compound 3 with chiral P2(1)2(1)2(1) features two-dimensional cluster layers, in which each cluster connects with four neighbors via four M-O-S-O-M linkages. Compounds 2 and 3 display unusual broad green light emission bands at 523 nm (λ(ex) = 320 nm) and 517 nm (λ(ex) = 312 nm), respectively, which originate from the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) transition.

Stabilization of Tetravalent 4f (Ce), 5d (Hf), or 5f (Th, U) Clusters by the [α-SiW9O34](10-) Polyoxometalate

The reaction of Na10[α-SiW9O34] with tetravalent metallic cations such as 4f ((NH4)2Ce(NO3)6), 5d (HfCl4), or 5f (UCl4 and Th(NO3)4) in a pH 4.7 sodium acetate buffer solution leads to the formation of four sandwich-type polyoxometalates [Ce4(μ(3)-O)2(SiW9O34)2(CH3COO)2](10-) (1), [U4(μ(3)-O)2(SiW9O34)2(CH3COO)2](10-) (2), [Th3(μ(3)-O)(μ(2)-OH)3(SiW9O34)2](13-) (3), and [Hf3(μ(2)-OH)3(SiW9O34)2](11-) (4). All four compounds consist of a polynuclear cluster fragment stabilized by two [α-SiW9O34](10-) polyanions. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural with a tetranuclear core (Ce4, U4), while compound 3 presents a trinuclear Th3 core bearing a μ(3)-O-centered bridge. It is an unprecedented configuration in the case of the thorium(IV) cluster. Compound 4 also possesses a trinuclear Hf3 core but with the absence of the μ(3)-O bridge. The molecules have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (183)W and (29)Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX) analysis.

Theoretical Studies on Hexanuclear Oxometalates [M6L19](q-) (M = Cr, Mo, W, Sg, Nd, U). Electronic Structures, Oxidation States, Aromaticity, and Stability

We here report a systematic theoretical study on geometries, electronic structures, and energetic stabilities of six hexanuclear polyoxometalates [M6O19](2-) of the six-valence-electron metals including the d-elements M = Cr, Mo, W, Sg from group 6 and the f-elements M = Nd, U. Scalar relativistic density functional theory was applied to these clusters in vacuum and in solution. It is shown that the Oh Lindqvist structure of the isolated [M6O19](2-) units with hexavalent M elements (M(+6)) is only stable for the three heavy transition metals M = Mo, W, and Sg. The rare Th symmetry is predicted for M = U both in vacuum and in solution, owing to pseudo-Jahn-Teller distortion of these closed-shell systems. The Oh and Th structures correspond to cyclic "aromatic" U-̇O-̇U and alternating U=O-U bonding of cross-linked U4O4 rings, respectively. The reduced [U6O19](8-) cluster with pentavalent U(+5) also shows Th symmetry in vacuum, but Oh symmetry in a dielectric environment. The occurrence of different structures for varying fractional oxidation states in different environments is rationalized. Theoretical investigation of the recently synthesized U(+5) complex [U6O13L6](0) (L6 = tetracyclopentadienyl dibipyridine) shows a distorted Th-type symmetry, too. The stabilities of these complexes of different metal oxidation states are consistent with the general periodic trends of oxidation states.

The Renaissance of Non-Aqueous Uranium Chemistry

Prior to the year 2000, non-aqueous uranium chemistry mainly involved metallocene and classical alkyl, amide, or alkoxide compounds as well as established carbene, imido, and oxo derivatives. Since then, there has been a resurgence of the area, and dramatic developments of supporting ligands and multiply bonded ligand types, small-molecule activation, and magnetism have been reported. This Review 1) introduces the reader to some of the specialist theories of the area, 2) covers all-important starting materials, 3) surveys contemporary ligand classes installed at uranium, including alkyl, aryl, arene, carbene, amide, imide, nitride, alkoxide, aryloxide, and oxo compounds, 4) describes advances in the area of single-molecule magnetism, and 5) summarizes the coordination and activation of small molecules, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, dinitrogen, white phosphorus, and alkanes.

Coordination polymers of uranium(IV) terephthalates

A series of tetravalent uranium terephthalates has been solvothermally synthesized in the solvent N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at temperature 100-150 °C with different water amounts. Composition diagrams have been determined for the U(4+) metallic cation in the presence of terephthalic acid, and their crystal structures revealed the occurrence of two- or three-dimensional coordination polymers. In the absence of water, a mixture of two polytypes T-U(2)Cl(2)(bdc)(3)(DMF)(4) (1) and M-U(2)Cl(2)(bdc)(3)(DMF)(4) (2) has been identified at low temperature (100-110 °C) for bdc/U = 1-4 (bdc = terephthalate linker). Their structures are built up from isolated uranium centers in nine-fold coordination, surrounded by 6 carboxyl oxygen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms coming from DMF molecules and one chlorine atom. The uranium cations are linked to each other through the bdc ligand in order to generate a 3D framework. By increasing the temperature (130-150 °C), a layered like compound has been isolated, U(2)(bdc)(4)(DMF)(4) (3). It is composed of discrete actinide centers in ten-fold coordination, with 8 carboxyl oxygen atoms and 2 oxygen atoms from DMF molecules. The connection of the UO10 units with the bdc linkers generates 2D sheets. When a controlled amount of water is added to the reaction medium, the crystallization of the UiO-66-like U(6)O(4)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(6)(bdc)(6)·10DMF solid (containing a hexanuclear sub-unit) is observed for temperature 110-120 °C and the H(2)O/U molar ratio in the range of 2-10. At higher temperature (140-150 °C), a distinct phase appeared, U(2)O(2)(bdc)(2)(DMF) (4), which consists of infinite chains of uranium centers, linked to each other via the bdc ligands. Higher water contents led to the formation of urania UO(2).

Formation of neptunium(IV)-silica colloids at near-neutral and slightly alkaline pH

The reducing conditions in a nuclear waste repository render neptunium tetravalent. Thus, Np is often assumed to be immobile in the subsurface. However, tetravalent actinides can also become mobile if they occur as colloids. We show that Np(IV) is able to form silica-rich colloids in solutions containing silicic acid at concentrations of both the regions above and below the "mononuclear wall" of silicic acid at 2 × 10(-3) M (where silicic acid is expected to start polymerization). These Np(IV)-silica colloids have a size of only very few nanometers and can reach significantly higher concentrations than Np(IV) oxyhydroxide colloids. They can be stable in the waterborne form over longer spans of time. In the Np(IV)-silica colloids, the actinide--oxygen--actinide bonds are increasingly replaced by actinide--oxygen--silicon bonds due to structural incorporation of Si. Possible implications of the formation of such colloids for environmental scenarios are discussed.

Combining coordination and supramolecular chemistry to explore uranyl assembly in the solid state

Supramolecular assembly of uranyl species via halogen–oxo and halogen–halogen interactions is explored in the solid state.