Perturbation of the O–U–O Angle in Uranyl by Coordination to a 12-Membered Macrocycle

Unusual Actinyl Complexes with a Redox-Active N,S-Donor Ligand

Understanding the fundamental chemistry of soft N,S-donor ligands with actinides across the series is critical for separation science toward sustainable nuclear energy. This task is particularly challenging when the ligands are redox active. We herein report a series of actinyl complexes with a N,S-donor redox-active ligand that stabilizes different oxidation states across the actinide series. These complexes are isolated and characterized in the gas phase, along with high-level electronic structure studies. The redox-active N,S-donor ligand in the products, C₅H₄NS, acts as a monoanion in [U^VIO₂(C₅H₄NS^-)]⁺ but as a neutral radical with unpaired electrons localized on the sulfur atom in [Np^VO₂(C₅H₄NS^•)]⁺ and [Pu^VO₂(C₅H₄NS^•)]⁺, resulting in different oxidation states for uranium and transuranic elements. This is rationalized by considering the relative energy levels of actinyl(VI) 5f orbitals and S 3p lone pair orbitals of the C₅H₄NS^- ligand and the cooperativity between An-N and An-S bonds that provides additional stability for the transuranic elements.

Uranium-Mediated Peroxide Activation and a Precursor toward an Elusive Uranium cis-Dioxo Fleeting Intermediate

The activation of chalcogen-chalcogen bonds using organometallic uranium complexes has been well documented for S-S, Se-Se, and Te-Te bonds. In stark contrast, reports concerning the ability of a uranium complex to activate the O-O bond of an organic peroxide are exceedingly rare. Herein, we describe the peroxide O-O bond cleavage of 9,10-diphenylanthracene-9,10-endoperoxide in nonaqueous media, mediated by a uranium(III) precursor [((^Me,AdArO)₃N)U^III(dme)] to generate a stable uranium(V) bis-alkoxide complex, namely, [((^Me,AdArO)₃N)U^V(DPAP)]. This reaction proceeds via an isolable, alkoxide-bridged diuranium(IV/IV) species, implying that the oxidative addition occurs in two sequential, single-electron oxidations of the metal center, including rebound of a terminal oxygen radical. This uranium(V) bis-alkoxide can then be reduced with KC₈ to form a uranium(IV) complex, which upon exposure to UV light, in solution, releases 9,10-diphenylanthracene to generate a cyclic uranyl trimer through formal two-electron photooxidation. Analysis of the mechanism of this photochemical oxidation via density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicates that the formation of this uranyl trimer occurs through a fleeting uranium cis-dioxo intermediate. At room temperature, this cis-configured dioxo species rapidly isomerizes to a more stable trans configuration through the release of one of the alkoxide ligands from the complex, which then goes on to form the isolated uranyl trimer complex.

Advances and perspectives of actinide chemistry from ex situ high pressure and high temperature chemical studies

High pressure high temperature (HP/HT) studies of actinide compounds allow the chemistry and bonding of among the most exotic elements in the periodic table to be examined under the conditions often only found in the severest environments of nature. Peering into this realm of physical extremity, chemists have extracted detailed knowledge of the fundamental chemistry of actinide elements and how they contribute to bonding, structure formation and intricate properties in compounds under such conditions. The last decade has resulted in some of the most significant contributions to actinide chemical science and this holds true for ex situ chemical studies of actinides resulting from HP/HT conditions of over 1 GPa and elevated temperature. Often conducted in tandem with ab initio calculations, HP/HT studies of actinides have further helped guide and develop theoretical modelling approaches and uncovered associated difficulties. Accordingly, this perspective article is devoted to reviewing the latest advancements made in actinide HP/HT ex situ chemical studies over the last decade, the state-of-the-art, challenges and discussing potential future directions of the science. The discussion is given with emphasis on thorium and uranium compounds due to the prevalence of their investigation but also highlights some of the latest advancements in high pressure chemical studies of transuranium compounds. The perspective also describes technical aspects involved in HP/HT investigation of actinide compounds.

Achieving and Stabilizing Uranyl Bending via Physical Pressure

Applying physical pressure in the uranyl-sulfate system has resulted in the formation of the first purely inorganic uranyl oxo-salt phase with a considerable uranyl bend: Na₄[(UO₂)(SO₄)₃]. In addition to a strong bend of the typically almost linear O═U═O, the typically equatorial plane is broken up by two out-of-plane oxygen positions. Computational investigations show the origin of the bending to lie in the applied physical pressure and not in the electronic influence or steric hindrance. The increase in pressure onto the system has been shown to increase uranyl bending. Furthermore, the phase formation is compared with a reference phase of a similar structure without uranyl bending, and a transition pressure of 2.5 GPa is predicted, which is well in agreement with the experimental results.

Mapping the Electronic Structure of the Uranium(VI) Dinitride Molecule, UN2

A combined anion photoelectron spectroscopic and relativistic coupled-cluster computational study of the electronic structure of the UN₂ molecule is presented. Because the photoelectron spectrum of the uranium dinitride negative ion, UN₂^-, directly reflects the electronic structure of neutral UN₂, we have measured and relied upon the photoelectron spectrum of the UN₂^- anion as a means of mapping the electronic structure of neutral UN₂. In addition to the electron affinity of the UN₂ ground state, energy levels of the UN₂ excited states were well characterized by the close interplay between the experiment and high-level theory. We found that both electron attachment and electronic excitation significantly bend the UN₂ molecule and elongate its U≡N bond. Implications for the activation of UN₂ are discussed.

Coordination of Uranyl to the Redox-Active Calix[4]pyrrole Ligand

Reaction of [Li(THF)]₄[L] (L = Me₈-calix[4]pyrrole]) with 0.5 equiv of [U^VIO₂Cl₂(THF)₂]₂ results in formation of the oxidized calix[4]pyrrole product, [Li(THF)]₂[L^Δ] (1), concomitant with formation of reduced uranium oxide byproducts. Complex 1 can also be generated by reaction of [Li(THF)]₄[L] with 1 equiv of I₂. We hypothesize that formation of 1 proceeds via formation of a highly oxidizing cis-uranyl intermediate, [Li]₂[cis-U^VIO₂(calix[4]pyrrole)]. To test this hypothesis, we explored the reaction of 1 with either 0.5 equiv of [U^VIO₂Cl₂(THF)₂]₂ or 1 equiv of [U^VIO₂(OTf)₂(THF)₃], which affords the isostructural uranyl complexes, [Li(THF)][U^VIO₂(L^Δ)Cl(THF)] (2) and [Li(THF)][U^VIO₂(L^Δ)(OTf)(THF)] (3), respectively. In the solid state, 2 and 3 feature unprecedented uranyl-η⁵-pyrrole interactions, making them rare examples of uranyl organometallic complexes. In addition, 2 and 3 exhibit some of the smallest O-U-O angles reported to date (2: 162.0(7) and 162.7(7)°; 3: 164.5(5)°). Importantly, the O-U-O bending observed in these complexes suggests that the oxidation of [Li(THF)]₄[L] does indeed occur via an unobserved cis-uranyl intermediate.

Bonding Interactions in Uranyl α-Diimine Complexes: A Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Study of the Impacts of Ligand Electronics and Extended Conjugation

Uranyl complexes of aryl-substituted α-diimine ligands gbha (UO₂-1a-f) and phen-BIAN (UO₂-2a-f) [gbha (1) = glyoxal bis(2-hydroxyanil); phen-BIAN (2) = N,N'-bis(iminophenol)acenaphthene; R = OMe (a), t-bu (b), H (c), Me (d), F (e), and naphthyl (f)] were designed, prepared, and characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, NMR, UV-vis, and electrochemical methods. These ligand frameworks contain a salen-type O-N-N-O binding pocket but are redox-noninnocent, leading to unusual metal complex behaviors. Here, we describe three solid-state structures of uranyl complexes UO₂-1b, UO₂-1c, and UO₂-1f and observe manifestations of ligand noninnocence for the U(VI) complexes UO₂-1b and UO₂-1c. The impacts of accessible π-systems and ligand substitution on the axial uranium-oxo interactions were evaluated spectroscopically via the intraligand charge-transfer (ILCT) processes that dominate the absorption spectra of these complexes and through changes to the asymmetric (ν₃) O═U═O stretching frequency. This, in combination with electrochemical data, reveals the effects of the inclusion of the conjugated acenaphthene backbone and the importance of ligand electronic structure on uranyl's bonding interactions.

The structural evolution and tunable photoluminescence of f-element bearing coordination polymers of the 2,4,6-tri-α-pyridyl-1,3,5-triazine ligand

An attempt at expanding the family of f-element bearing TPTZ coordination polymers has resulted in fifteen new complexes with topologies that evolved along the periodic table and tunable photoluminescence properties.

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.

Improved synthesis of symmetrically & asymmetrically N-substituted pyridinophane derivatives

The N,N'-di(toluenesulfonyl)-2,11-diaza[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane (^TsN4) precursor was sought after as a starting point for the preparation of various symmetric and asymmetric pyridinophane-derived ligands. Various procedures to synthesize ^TsN4 had been published, but the crucial problem had been the purification of ^TsN4 from the larger 18- and 24-membered azamacrocycles. Most commonly, column chromatography or other laborious methods have been utilized for this separation, yet we have found an alternate selective dissolution method upon protonation which allows for multi-gram scale output of ^TsN4·HCl. This optimized synthesis of ^TsN4 also led to the development of symmetric ^RN4 derivatives as well as the asymmetric derivative N-(tosyl)-2,11-diaza[3,3](2,6)pyridinophane (^TsHN4). Using this ^TsHN4 precursor, different N-substituents can be added to create a library of asymmetric ^RR'N4 macrocyclic ligands. These asymmetric ^RR'N4 derivatives expand the utility of the ^RN4 framework in coordination chemistry and the ability to study the electronic, steric, and denticity effects of these pyridinophane ligands on the metal center.

Understanding the origins of Oyl–U–Oylbending in the uranyl (UO22+) ion

Although rare, O_yl–U–O_ylbending in the uranyl (UO₂²⁺) ion can be effected by either steric perturbation or electronic perturbation.

X-Ray crystallographic and computational study on uranyl-salophen complexes bearing nitro groups

In the solid state, salophen-UO₂ complexes bearing one, two, or three NO₂ groups lack the pronounced ligand curvature that represents a structural hallmark for this class of compounds. A detailed structural study based on single-crystal X-ray crystallography and computational methods, comprising molecular dynamics, gas-phase Hartree Fock, and DFT calculations, was carried out to investigate the coordination properties of the uranyl cation.

Coordination Characteristics of Uranyl BBP Complexes: Insights from an Electronic Structure Analysis

Organic ligand complexes of lanthanide/actinide ions have been studied extensively for applications in nuclear fuel storage and recycling. Several complexes of 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazyl)pyridine (H2BBP) featuring the uranyl moiety have been reported recently, and the present study investigates the coordination characteristics of these complexes using density functional theory-based electronic structure analysis. In particular, with the aid of several computational models, the nonplanar equatorial coordination about uranyl, observed in some of the compounds, is studied and its origin traced to steric effects.