Isolation of Uranyl Dicyanamide Complexes from N-Donor Ionic Liquids

Np(V) dicyanamide complexes with electroneutral N-donor ligands

Three new complexes of Np(V) dicyanamide with electroneutral N-donor ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterized: two with terpyridine derivatives: [(NpO2)(Cl-Terpy)(DMA)(N(CN)2)]·0.5DMA (1), [(NpO2)(TPTZ)(N(CN)2)(H2O)]·2H2O·CH3OH (2) and a dimeric complex with bipyridine [(NpO2)(Bipy)(N(CN)2)(H2O)]2·2(CH3OH) (3). In compounds 1–3, the coordination polyhedra of Np atoms are pentagonal bipyramids with “yl” oxygen atoms in apical positions. The equatorial plane of the bipyramids is formed by nitrogen atoms of the anions [N(CN)2]− and N-donor electroneutral ligands (Cl-Terpy, TPTZ, Bipy) and the oxygen atom of water molecule (1, 3) or DMA (2). In compounds 1 and 2, the [N(CN)2]− anions manifest themselves as monodentate ligands, and in compound 3 dicyanamide is a bidentate-bridging ligand.

Isolation of single crystals of a homoleptic UO22+-diglycolamide complex from a room temperature ionic liquid: X-ray crystallography and complexation studies

Complexation and structural investigations of the solid complex of UO22+ ion and TMDGA isolated from an ionic liquid for the first time revealed that the nature and structural features of the complex are identical with those of the complex isolated from the aqueous medium.

Speciation of Ionic Uranyl-Containing Complexes in in Situ Formed Dicyanonitrosomethanide-Based Ionic Liquids

A series of ionic uranyl-containing complexes, namely [C₂mim]₂[UO₂(ccnm)₄] (1), [C₄mim]₂[UO₂(ccnm)₄] (2), [N₁₁₁₁]₂[UO₂(ccnm)₄][H₂O]₂ (3), and [P₂₄₄₄]₂[UO₂(dcnm)₂(ccnm)₂] (4) [(ccnm)^- = carbamoylcyanonitrosomethanide; dcnm = dicyanonitrosomethanide; (C₂mim)⁺ = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; (C₄mim)⁺ = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium; (N₁₁₁₁)⁺ = tetramethylammonium; (P₂₄₄₄)⁺ = tributyl(ethyl)phosphonium)], were isolated from in situ formed dcnm-based ionic liquids and characterized systematically. It was found that the dcnm anions transformed into ccnm anions during the reactions. These anions coordinate with the uranyl cations in chelate or terminal monodentate coordination mode, affording negative divalent complex anions which can combine with different organic cations and form ionic uranyl-containing complexes. Plenty of C-H···O, N-H···O, C-H···N, N-H···N, and H···H weak interactions are formed in the crystal structures. The transformation of cyano to amide groups contributes to the crystallinity and leads to higher melting points as well as the luminescence quenching of these compounds.

Forcing Dicyanamide Coordination to f-Elements by Dissolution in Dicyanamide-Based Ionic Liquids

A robust general route to lanthanide dicyanamide (DCA^–) complexes has been developed where f-element salts are dissolved in DCA^–-based ionic liquids (ILs) directly or formed in situ, forcing coordination of these normally weakly coordinating soft N-donor anions, even in an ambient, non-moisture-excluding environment. A series of lanthanide complexes [C₂mim][Ln(DCA)₄(H₂O)₄] (C₂mim = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium; Ln = La, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Yb) and [C₂mim]_3n[La(OH₂)₄(μ²-DCA)₄]_n[La(OH₂)₂(μ³-DCA)₃(μ²-DCA)₄]_2n(Cl)_4n were crystallized under a variety of conditions using this methodology and structurally characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Although not all examples were isostructural, the dominant feature across the series was the presence of [Ln(DCA)₄(H₂O)₄]⁻ anionic nodes with all terminal DCA^– ligands accepting hydrogen bonds from the coordinated water molecules forming a 3D metal organic framework. To determine if any structural clues might aid in the further development of the synthetic methodology, the metal-free IL [C₁mim][DCA] (C₁mim = 1,3-dimethylimidazolium), a room-temperature solid, crystalline analogue of the reaction IL, which is liquid at room temperature, was also prepared and structurally characterized. The ready isolation of these compounds allowed us to begin an investigation of the physical properties such as the luminescence at room and low temperatures for the Eu, Tb, and Dy representatives.

Direct dissolution of lanthanide chloride hydrates in the DCA⁻ ionic liquids leads to coordination of DCA⁻ anions to Ln³⁺ under full displacement of chloride and partial displacement of water ligands leading to the formation of metal organic frameworks under ambient conditions. X-ray analyses reveal a significant influence of the hydrogen bonding and lanthanides’ size on crystallographic disorder in their crystal structures.

Synthesis of Anhydrous Acetates for the Components of Nuclear Fuel Recycling in Dialkylimidazolium Acetate Ionic Liquids

A series of anhydrous acetate salts with uranium {[C₂C₁im][UO₂(OAc)₃] (1), [C₂C₂im][UO₂(OAc)₃] (2), and [C₄C₁im][UO₂(OAc)₃] (3)}, lanthanides {[C₂C₂im]₂[La(OAc)₅] (4) and [C₂C₁im]₂[Nd(OAc)₅] (5)}, and strontium {[C₂C₁im]_n[Sr(OAc)₃]_n (6)} (where C₂C₁im = 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, C₂C₂im = 1,3-diethylimidazolium, C₄C₁im = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, and OAc = acetate) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Both lanthanides and strontium are common components of the nuclear fuel waste, and their separation from uranium is an important but still challenging task. A new synthetic approach with dialkylimidazolium acetate ionic liquids (ILs) as the solvent has been developed for the direct synthesis of homoleptic acetates from the corresponding hydrates and, unexpectedly, hardly soluble f-element oxides. Although the group of characterized compounds shows perfect structural variability, all actinide and lanthanide metal ions form monomeric complex anions where the metal cation coordinates to five ligands including two oxygen atoms in the case of uranium, as is commonly observed for uranyl compounds. Crystallographic analyses revealed that the complex [UO₂(OAc)₃]^- anions possess rather standard D_3h symmetry featuring a hexagonal-bipyramidal coordination environment, while the lanthanide anions [Ln(OAc)₅]^2- are fully asymmetric and the Ln³⁺ cations are 10-coordinated in the form of a distorted bicapped tetragonal antiprism. This is the first report of lanthanide ions coordinated in this fashion. For Sr²⁺, 9-fold coordination through oxygen atoms in the form of a strongly distorted tricapped trigonal prism is observed. The crystallization of anhydrous, homoleptic, anionic acetate complexes from such a large variety of different metal salts appears to be due to the properties of dialkylimidazolium acetate ILs themselves, including enhanced basicity from the high concentration of free anions and their greater affinity for hydrogen-bonding solutes relative to metal cations.

Detection and identification of solids, surfaces, and solutions of uranium using vibrational spectroscopy

The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of uranium speciation using vibrational spectroscopy methods including Raman and IR. Uranium is a naturally occurring, radioactive element that is utilized in the nuclear energy and national security sectors. Fundamental uranium chemistry is also an active area of investigation due to ongoing questions regarding the participation of 5f orbitals in bonding, variation in oxidation states and coordination environments, and unique chemical and physical properties. Importantly, uranium speciation affects fate and transportation in the environment, influences bioavailability and toxicity to human health, controls separation processes for nuclear waste, and impacts isotopic partitioning and geochronological dating. This review article provides a thorough discussion of the vibrational modes for U(IV), U(V), and U(VI) and applications of infrared absorption and Raman scattering spectroscopies in the identification and detection of both naturally occurring and synthetic uranium species in solid and solution states. The vibrational frequencies of the uranyl moiety, including both symmetric and asymmetric stretches are sensitive to the coordinating ligands and used to identify individual species in water, organic solvents, and ionic liquids or on the surface of materials. Additionally, vibrational spectroscopy allows for the in situ detection and real-time monitoring of chemical reactions involving uranium. Finally, techniques to enhance uranium species signals with vibrational modes are discussed to expand the application of vibrational spectroscopy to biological, environmental, inorganic, and materials scientists and engineers.

New Reactions for Old Ions: Cage Rearrangements, Hydrolysis, and Two-Electron Reduction of nido-Decaborane in Neat 1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium Acetate

The access to free, unsolvated ions at high concentrations and ambient temperatures enabled by ionic liquids results in previously unobserved reactivity for even well-studied ions, demonstrated here by acetate ([OAc]-) acting as a reducing agent for B10H14 but only when used as a neat liquid in [C2mim][OAc] at ambient temperature. More typical reaction products are obtained when B10H14 is reacted with [C2mim][OAc] at an elevated temperature or in the presence of strong bases.