Oleum and Sulfuric Acid as Reaction Media: The Actinide Examples UO 2 (S 2 O 7 )‐lt (low temperature), UO 2 (S 2 O 7 )‐ht (high temperature), UO 2 (HSO 4 ) 2 , An(SO 4 ) 2 (An = Th, U), Th 4 (HSO 4 ) 2 (SO 4 ) 7 and Th(HSO 4 ) 2 (SO 4 )

Actinide Sulfate Structures from Caustic Solvents

Four unique actinide sulfates were synthesized using solvothermal techniques with strong acids. The first plutonium(III) sulfate structure, Pu(HSO4)3, was synthesized and is isostructural with analogous lanthanide-based frameworks. A similar synthesis approach yielded crystals of NpNa0.5(HSO4)15(SO4)1.5, which has a comparable framework to the Pu(III) compound, but the neptunium metal is tetravalent and sodium is incorporated into the structure, as confirmed by chemical analysis. Anhydrous neptunium sulfate, Np(SO4)2, is reported and is isotypic with U(SO4)2. Finally, (H3O)2(UO2)(SO4)2, which contains a uranyl sulfate sheet structure, was synthesized and characterized. The corresponding sheet anion topology has previously been reported with various oxyanions, but this is the first report that contains sulfate. The sheets are charge balanced by hydronium cations in the interstitial space. This compound readily degrades and forms crystals of the synthetic analogue to the uranium mineral shumwayite, which is likely thermodynamically favorable. All four of these actinide sulfate compounds were synthesized in extremely acidic media, resulting in interesting and unique structures.

Targeting Diverse Bridging Motifs within Actinide Borosulfates and Establishing an Unconventional Structural Hierarchy

The first actinide borosulfates, (UO₂)[B(SO₄)₂(SO₃OH)] (TSUBOS-1) and (UO₂)₂[B₂O(SO₄)₃(SO₃OH)₂] (TSUBOB-1), were synthesized solvothermally in oleum using UO₃. The classical borosulfate crystal structure of TSUBOS-1 is partially consistent with an established conventional hierarchy. Uranyl pentagonal bipyramids limit the anionic network linkages and isolate sulfate tetrahedra within the anionic network. Therefore, the classical one-dimensional chain established in the hierarchy does not fully describe the structure. The structure of TSUBOB-1 is the first actinide borosulfate that contains an unconventional borate-to-borate bridging mode (denoted B-O-B) and a zero-dimensional oxoanionic unit consisting of one sulfate tetrahedron that shares vertices with two B-O-B bridged borate tetrahedra that each share a vertex with two sulfate tetrahedra. As this structure departs from the existing structural hierarchy, a modified approach for understanding the unconventional borosulfate substructure and dimensionality is proposed, together with a new graphical notation. In the course of our synthesis experiments, a novel uranyl disulfate compound (UO₂)₂[(S₂O₇)(SO₃OH)₂] (TSUDS) was isolated and characterized. The structure of TSUDS is a framework consisting of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and sulfate tetrahedra. Each uranyl pentagonal bipyramid is surrounded by five sulfate tetrahedra, two of which share a vertex creating a disulfate with a S-O-S bridging mode. The uranyl bipyramids are linked to one another via the singular sulfate or disulfate groups.

Secondary Role of Aliphatic and Heterocyclic Amines in the Formation of Low-Temperature Amine-Bearing U, Np, and Pu(VI) Chromates

Uranyl compounds with tetrahedral oxoanions demonstrate a significant structural and topological diversity. Complexes of transuranium elements with such anions are not equally well-represented in the literature. To answer the question about the structural similarity in a series of An⁶⁺ complexes with XO₄^2- anions, we synthesized and studied 10 new U, Np, and Pu chromates with outer-sphere organic cations. The structural analysis and comparison with the literature data shows that the Np and Pu complexes are generally based on the same structural blocks as the uranyl compounds. Moreover, the chromate anion does not show any unique structural role as compared to the sulfate and selenate ions. As a result, the neptunium and plutonium chromates contain 1D and 2D structural units similar to those found in the uranyl sulfates and selenates. The templating role of the outer-sphere cations in the actinyl complexes with tetrahedral oxoanions is also not evident, and there is no clear correlation between the nature of the outer-sphere cations and the topology of the structural units.

The tin sulfates Sn(SO4)2 and Sn2(SO4)3: crystal structures, optical and thermal properties

We report the crystal structures of two tin(IV) sulfate polymorphs Sn(SO4)2-I (P2₁/c (no. 14), a = 504.34(3), b = 1065.43(6), c = 1065.47(6) pm, β = 91.991(2)°, 4617 independent reflections, 104 refined parameters, wR₂ = 0.096) and Sn(SO4)2-II (P2₁/n (no. 14), a = 753.90(3), b = 802.39(3), c = 914.47(3) pm, β = 92.496(2)°, 3970 independent reflections, 101 refined parameters, wR₂ = 0.033). Moreover, the first heterovalent tin sulfate Sn2(SO4)3 is reported which adopts space group P1̄ (no. 2) (a = 483.78(9), b = 809.9(2), c = 1210.7(2) pm, α = 89.007(7)°, β = 86.381(7)°, γ = 73.344(7)°, 1602 independent reflections, 152 refined parameters, wR₂ = 0.059). Finally, SnSO4 - the only tin sulfate with known crystal structure - was revised and information complemented. The optical and thermal properties of all tin sulfates are investigated by FTIR, UV-vis, luminescence and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy as well as thermogravimetry and compared.

(NH4)Mg(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)2 and NaSc(CrO4)2(H2O)2, two crystal structures comprising kröhnkite-type chains, and the temperature-induced phase transition (NH4)Mg(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)2\rightleftharpoons (NH4)MgH(SO4)2(H2O)2

The crystal structure of the mineral kröhnkite, Na2Cu(SO4)2(H2O)2, contains infinite chains composed of [CuO4(OH2)2] octahedra corner-linked with SO4 tetrahedra. Such or similar tetrahedral-octahedral `kröhnkite-type' chains are present in the crystal structures of numerous compounds with the composition AnM(XO4)2(H2O)2. The title compounds, (NH4)Mg(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)2, ammonium magnesium hydrogen sulfate sulfate dihydrate, and NaSc(CrO4)2(H2O)2, sodium scandium bis(chromate) dihydrate, are members of the large family with such kröhnkite-type chains. At 100 K, (NH4)Mg(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)2 has an unprecedented triclinic crystal structure and contains [MgO4(OH2)2] octahedra linked by SO3(OH) and SO4 tetrahedra into chains extending parallel to [-110]. Adjacent chains are linked by very strong hydrogen bonds between SO3(OH) and SO4 tetrahedra into layers parallel to (111). Ammonium cations and water molecules connect adjacent layers through hydrogen-bonding interactions of medium-to-weak strength into a three-dimensional network. (NH4)Mg(HSO4)(SO4)(H2O)2 shows a reversible phase transition and crystallizes at room temperature in structure type E in the classification scheme for structures with kröhnkite-type chains, with half of the unit-cell volume for the resulting triclinic cell, and with disordered H atoms of the ammonium tetrahedron and the H atom between two symmetry-related sulfate groups. IR spectroscopic room-temperature data for the latter phase are provided. Monoclinic NaSc(CrO4)2(H2O)2 adopts structure type F1 in the classification scheme for structures with kröhnkite-type chains. Here, [ScO4(OH2)2] octahedra (point group symmetry -1) are linked by CrO4 tetrahedra into chains parallel to [010]. The Na+ cations (site symmetry 2) have a [6 + 2] coordination and connect adjacent chains into a three-dimensional framework that is consolidated by medium-strong hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules. Quantitative structural comparisons are made between NaSc(CrO4)2(H2O)2 and its isotypic NaM(CrO4)2(H2O)2 (M = Al and Fe) analogues.

Effect of solution acidity on the crystallization of polychromates in uranyl-bearing systems: synthesis and crystal structures of Rb2[(UO2)(Cr2O7)(NO3)2] and two new polymorphs of Rb2Cr3O10

Three new rubidium polychromates, Rb2[(UO2)(Cr2O7)(NO3)2] (1), γ-Rb2Cr3O10 (2) and δ-Rb2Cr3O10 (3) were prepared by combination of hydrothermal treatment at 220 °C and evaporation of aqueous solutions under ambient conditions. Compound 1 is monoclinic, P 2 1 / c $P{2}_{1}/c$ , a = 13.6542(19), b = 19.698(3), c = 11.6984(17) Å, β = 114.326(2)°, V = 2867.0(7) Å3, R 1 = 0.040; 2 is hexagonal, P 6 3 / m $P{6}_{3}/m$ , a = 11.991(2), c = 12.828(3) Å, γ = 120°, V = 1597.3(5) Å3, R 1 = 0.031; 3 is monoclinic, P 2 1 / n $P{2}_{1}/n$ , a = 7.446(3), b = 18.194(6), c = 7.848(3) Å, β = 99.953(9)°, V = 1047.3(7) Å3, R 1 = 0.037. In the crystal structure of 1, UO8 bipyramids and NO3 groups share edges to form [(UO2)(NO3)2] species which share common corners with dichromate Cr2O7 groups producing novel type of uranyl dichromate chains [(UO2)(Cr2O7)(NO3)2]2−. In the structures of new Rb2Cr3O10 polymorphs, CrO4 tetrahedra share vertices to form Cr3O10 2− species. The trichromate groups are aligned along the 63 screw axis forming channels running in the ab plane in the structure of 2. The Rb cations reside between the channels and in their centers completing the structure. The trichromate anions are linked by the Rb+ cations into a 3D framework in the structure of 3. Effect of solution acidity on the crystallization of polychromates in uranyl-bearing systems is discussed.

Successive Crystallization of Organically Templated Uranyl Sulfates: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [pyH](H3O)[(UO2)3(SO4)4(H2O)2], [pyH]2[(UO2)6(SO4)7(H2O)], and [pyH]2[(UO2)2(SO4)3]

Three new uranyl sulfates, [pyH](H3O)[(UO2)3(SO4)4(H2O)2] (1), [pyH]2[(UO2)6(SO4)7(H2O)] (2), and [pyH]2[(UO2)2(SO4)3] (3), were produced upon hydrothermal treatment and successive isothermal evaporation. 1 is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 14.3640(13), b = 10.0910(9), c = 18.8690(17) Å, β = 107.795(2), V = 2604.2(4) Å3, R1 = 0.038; 2 is orthorhombic, C2221, a = 10.1992(8), b = 18.5215(14), c = 22.7187(17) Å, V = 4291.7(6) Å3, R1 = 0.030; 3 is orthorhombic, Pccn, a = 9.7998(8), b = 10.0768(8), c = 20.947(2) Å, V = 2068.5(3) Å3, R1 = 0.055. In the structures of 1 and 2, the uranium polyhedra and SO4 tetrahedra share vertices to form ∞3[(UO2)3(SO4)4(H2O)2]2− and ∞3[(UO2)6(SO4)7(H2O)]2− frameworks featuring channels (12.2 × 6.7 Å in 1 and 12.9 × 6.5 Å in 2), which are occupied by pyridinium cations. The structure of 3 is comprised of ∞2[(UO2)2(SO4)3]2− layers linked by hydrogen bonds donated by pyridinium cations. The compounds 1–3 are formed during recrystallization processes, in which the evaporation of mother liquor leads to a stepwise loss of hydration water.

Crystal Chemistry and Structural Complexity of Uranium(IV) Sulfates: Synthesis of U3H2(SO4)7(H2O)5·3H2O and U3(UO2)0.2(SO4)6(OH)0.4·2.3H2O with Framework Structures by the Photochemical Reduction of Uranyl

Two uranium(IV) sulfate framework compounds were crystallized at room temperature from aqueous solutions containing uranyl ions by photochemical reduction in the presence of 2-propanol. U₃H₂(SO₄)₇(H₂O)₅·3H₂O (1) crystallizes in space group P6₅ with a = 9.3052(17) Å, c = 53.515(10) Å, V = 4012.9(13) ų, and Z = 6, and U₃(UO₂)_0.2(SO₄)₆(OH)_0.4·2.3H₂O (2) is tetragonal, with space group P4₂/nmc, a = 25.624(3) Å, c = 8.9435(10) Å, V = 5872.2(11) ų, and Z = 8. The structures of 1 and 2 are the most complex among uranium(IV) sulfates.

Tb(HSO4)(SO4) - a green emitting hydrogensulfate sulfate with second harmonic generation response

Recently, sulfates have attracted attention as materials for non-linear optical applications. This compound class is extended by Tb(HSO₄)(SO₄), which is solvothermally synthesised from Tb₄O₇ and sulfuric acid. The compound crystallises in the non-centrosymmetric space group P2₁ (Z = 2, a = 665.03(5) pm, b = 659.41(5) pm, c = 680.24(5) pm, and β = 104.640(2)°) and is homeotypic with Ni₂In. The terbium ions adopt the indium sites and the sulfate and hydrogen sulfate anions are situated on the nickel sites. The compound shows green luminescence based on f-f-transitions and the positions of the f-d-excitation bands reveal a weak coordination behaviour of the sulfate anions. Tb(HSO₄)(SO₄) exhibits a second harmonic generation response comparable to KH₂PO₄ (KDP). Furthermore, the material is characterised by electrostatic calculations, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis.

Complex Uranyl Dichromates Templated by Aza-Crowns

Three new uranyl dichromate compounds templated by aza-crown templates were obtained at room temperature by evaporation from aqueous solutions: (H2diaza-18-crown-6)2[(UO2)2(Cr2O7)4(H2O)2](H2O)3 (1), (H4[15]aneN4)[(UO2)2(CrO4)2(Cr2O7)2(H2O)] (H2O)3.5 (2) and (H4Cyclam)(H4[15]aneN4)2[(UO2)6(CrO4)8(Cr2O7)4](H2O)4 (3). The use of aza-crown templates made it possible to isolate unprecedented and complex one-dimensional units in 2 and 3, whereas the structure of 1 is based on simple uranyl-dichromate chains. It is very likely that the presence of relatively large organic molecules of aza-crown ethers does not allow uranyl chromate chain complexes to condense into the units of higher dimensionality (layers or frameworks). In general, the formation of 1, 2, and 3 is in agreement with the general principles elaborated for organically templated uranyl compounds. The negative charge of the [(UO2)(Cr2O7)2(H2O)]2−, [(UO2)2(CrO4)2(Cr2O7)2(H2O)]4− and [(UO2)3(CrO4)4(Cr2O7)2]6− one-dimensional inorganic motifs is compensated by the protonation of all nitrogen atoms in the molecules of aza-crowns.

Microporous uranyl chromates successively formed by evaporation from acidic solution

The first microporous framework structures containing uranium and chromium have been synthesized and characterized. Rb2[(UO2)2(CrO4)3(H2O)2](H2O)3 (1) was crystallized from uranyl chromate solution by evaporation. Further evaporation led to increased viscosity of the solution and overgrowing of Rb2[(UO2)2(CrO4)3(H2O)](H2O) (2) on the crystals of 1. With respect to 1, the framework of 2 is partially dehydrated. Both frameworks differ compositionally by only one water molecule, but this seemingly small difference affects significantly the pore size and overall structural topology of the frameworks, which present very different flexibility of the U–O–Cr links. These are rigid in the pillared framework of 1, in contrast to 2 where the U–O–Cr angles range from 126.3 to 168.2°, reflecting the substantial flexibility of Cr–O–U connections which make them comparable to the corresponding Mo–O–U links in uranyl molybdates.

Application of a mild hydrothermal method to the synthesis of mixed transition-metal(ii)/uranium(iv) fluorides

The synthesis and properties of two families of mixed metal U(iv)/M(ii) fluorides via a mild hydrothermal method.

The effect of coordinated water on the connectivity of uranium(IV) sulfate x-hydrate: [U(SO4)2(H2O)5]·H2O and [U(SO4)2(H2O)6]·2H2O, and a comparison with other known structures

Two new solid-state uranium(IV) sulfate x-hydrate complexes (where x is the total number of coordinated plus solvent waters), namely catena-poly[[pentaaquauranium(IV)]-di-μ-sulfato-κ(4)O:O'] monohydrate], {[U(SO4)2(H2O)5]·H2O}n, and hexaaquabis(sulfato-κ(2)O,O')uranium(IV) dihydrate, [U(SO4)2(H2O)6]·2H2O, have been synthesized, structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and analyzed by vibrational (IR and Raman) spectroscopy. By comparing these structures with those of four other known uranium(IV) sulfate x-hydrates, the effect of additional coordinated water molecules on their structures has been elucidated. As the number of coordinated water molecules increases, the sulfate bonds are displaced, thus changing the binding mode of the sulfate ligands to the uranium centre. As a result, uranium(IV) sulfate x-hydrate changes from being fully crosslinked in three dimensions in the anhydrous compound, through sheet and chain linking in the tetra- and hexahydrates, to fully unlinked molecules in the octa- and nonahydrates. It can be concluded that coordinated waters play an important role in determining the structure and connectivity of U(IV) sulfate complexes.