Binding of inorganic oxo-anions to cationic cobaltammine: Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structures determination and DFT calculations of [Co(NH3)6]Cl2(ClO3), [Co(NH3)6]Br2(ClO3) and [Co(NH3)6]Cl2(IO3)·H2O

Theoretical investigation on the ground state properties of the hexaamminecobalt(iii) and nitro-nitrito linkage isomerism in pentaamminecobalt(iii) in vacuo

Nitro-nitrito isomerization in Co(NH3)5NO2 2+ linkage isomers was investigated with a focus on the geometries, relative stabilities and chemical bonding using ωB97XD/6-31+G(d,p) to elucidate the photo-salient effect in [Co(NH3)5NO2]NO3Cl. Different techniques like atoms in molecules (AIM), electron localization function (ELF) and natural bonding orbital (NBO) were used to gain insight into the chemical bonds of the isomers and to identify the key factors influencing their relative stabilities. The study of the ground-state potential energy surface of [Co(NH3)5NO2]2+ reveals that the nitro/exo-nitrito isomerization reaction can proceed via the following two paths: (1) nitro → TS1 (38.16 kcal mol-1) → endo-nitrito → TS2 (9.68 kcal mol-1) → exo-nitrito and (2) nitro → TS3 (41.76 kcal mol-1) → exo-nitrito. Pathway (1) through endo-nitrito is the most likely isomerization mechanism because of a lower energy barrier than pathway (2). The intramolecular-resonance-assisted hydrogen bonds (N-H⋯O and N-H⋯N), the orientation of NO2, and the difference between Co-N and Co-O bond energies are identified as the key factors determining the relative stabilities of the linkage isomers. Co(NH3)6 3+ is less stable compared to Co(NH3)5NO2 2+ and undergoes a slight geometrical distortion from D 3d to either D 3 or S 6 characterized by a stabilization energy of ∼750 cm-1 at CCSD(T)/6-31+G(d,p).

A case for molecular recognition in nuclear separations: sulfate separation from nuclear wastes

In this paper, we present the case for molecular-recognition approaches for sulfate removal from radioactive wastes via the use of anion-sequestering systems selective for sulfate, using either liquid-liquid extraction or crystallization. Potential benefits of removing sulfate from the waste include improved vitrification of the waste, reduced waste-form volume, and higher waste-form performance, all of which lead to potential cleanup schedule acceleration and cost savings. The need for sulfate removal from radioactive waste, especially legacy tank wastes stored at the Hanford site, is reviewed in detail and primarily relates to the low solubility of sulfate in borosilicate glass. Traditional methods applicable to the separation of sulfate from radioactive wastes are also reviewed, with the finding that currently no technology has been identified and successfully demonstrated to meet this need. Fundamental research in the authors' laboratories targeting sulfate as an important representative of the class of oxoanions is based on the hypothesis that designed receptors may provide the needed ability to recognize sulfate under highly competitive conditions, in particular where the nitrate anion concentration is high. Receptors that have been shown to have promising affinity for sulfate, either in extraction or in crystallization experiments, include hexaurea tripods, tetraamide macrocycles, cyclo[8]pyrroles, calixpyrroles, and self-assembled urea-lined cages. Good sulfate selectivity observed in the laboratory provides experimental support for the proposed molecular-recognition approach.