Trends in Aqueous Hydration Across the 4f Period Assessed by Reliable Computational Methods

Modeling separation of lanthanides via heterogeneous ligand binding

Individual lanthanide elements have physical/electronic/magnetic properties that make each useful for specific applications. Several of the lanthanides cations (Ln3+) naturally occur together in the same ores. They are notoriously difficult to separate from each other due to their chemical similarity. Predicting the Ln3+ differential binding energies (ΔΔE) or free energies (ΔΔG) at different binding sites, which are key figures of merit for separation applications, will help design of materials with lanthanide selectivity. We apply ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) to calculate ΔΔG for Ln3+ coordinated to ligands in water and embedded in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and ΔΔE for Ln3+ bonded to functionalized silica surfaces, thus circumventing the need for the computational costly absolute binding (free) energies ΔG and ΔE. Perturbative AIMD simulations of water-inundated simulation cells are applied to examine the selectivity of ligands towards adjacent Ln3+ in the periodic table. Static DFT calculations with a full Ln3+ first coordination shell, while less rigorous, show that all ligands examined with net negative charges are more selective towards the heavier lanthanides than a charge-neutral coordination shell made up of water molecules. Amine groups are predicted to be poor ligands for lanthanide-binding. We also address cooperative ion binding, i.e., using different ligands in concert to enhance lanthanide selectivity.

Competing Metal-Ligand Interactions in Tris(cyclopentadienyl)-cyclohexylisonitrile Complexes of Trivalent Actinides and Lanthanides

The structure and bonding properties of 16 complexes formed by trivalent f elements (M=U, Np, Pu and lanthanides except for Pm and Pr) with cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and cyclohexylisonitrile (C≡NCy) ligands, (Cp)₃M(C≡NCy), were studied by a joint experimental (XRD, NMR) and theoretical (DFT) analysis. For the large La(III) ion, the bis-adduct (Cp)₃La(C≡NCy)₂ could also be synthesized and characterized. The metal–ligand interactions, focusing on the comparison of the actinides and lanthanides as well as on the competition of the two different ligands for M, were elucidated using the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) models. The results point to interactions of comparable strengths with the anionic Cp and neutral C≡NCy ligands in the complexes. The structural and bonding properties of the actinide complexes reflect small but characteristic differences with respect to the lanthanide analogues. They include larger ligand-to-metal charge transfers as well as metal–ligand electron-sharing interactions. The most significant experimental marker of these covalent interactions is the C≡N stretching frequency.

Interaction-determined extraction capacity between rare earth ions and extractants: taking lanthanum and lutetium as models through theoretical calculations

Extractant plays an important role in the separation and purification of rare earth elements (REEs), whereas, extraction performance is the most effective tactic to evaluate whether an extractant is complete...

On the singularity of scandium

Hydrogen-bonding interactions of the [Sc2(OH)2(OH2)10]4+ dimer containing 7-coordinate Sc(iii).

Electronic Structure of Ytterbium(III) Solvates-a Combined Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study

The wide range of optical and magnetic properties of lanthanide(III) ions is associated with their intricate electronic structures which, in contrast to lighter elements, is characterized by strong relativistic effects and spin-orbit coupling. Nevertheless, computational methods are now capable of describing the ladder of electronic energy levels of the simpler trivalent lanthanide ions, as well as the lowest energy term of most of the series. The electronic energy levels result from electron configurations that are first split by spin-orbit coupling into groups of energy levels denoted by the corresponding Russell-Saunders terms. Each of these groups are then split by the ligand field into the actual electronic energy levels known as microstates or sometimes m_J levels. The ligand-field splitting directly informs on the coordination geometry and is a valuable tool for determining the structure and thus correlating the structure and properties of metal complexes in solution. The issue with lanthanide complexes is that the determination of complex structures from ligand-field splitting remains a very challenging task. In this paper, the optical spectra-absorption, luminescence excitation, and luminescence emission-of ytterbium(III) solvates were recorded in water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). The electronic energy levels, that is, the microstates, were resolved experimentally. Subsequently, density functional theory calculations were used to model the structures of the solvates, and ab initio relativistic complete active space self-consistent field calculations (CASSCF) were employed to obtain the microstates of the possible structures of each solvate. By comparing the experimental and theoretical data, it was possible to determine both the coordination number and solution structure of each solvate. In water, methanol, and N,N-dimethylformamide, the solvates were found to be eight-coordinated and have a square antiprismatic coordination geometry. In DMSO, the speciation was found to be more complicated. The robust methodology developed for comparing experimental spectra and computational results allows the solution structures of homoleptic lanthanide complexes to be determined.

Stabilization of hydrated AcIII cation: the role of superatom states in actinium-water bonding

225Ac-based radiopharmaceuticals have the potential to become invaluable in designated cancer therapy. However, the limited understanding of the solution chemistry and bonding properties of actinium has hindered the development of existing and emerging targeted radiotherapeutics, which also poses a significant challenge in the discovery of new agents. Herein, we report the geometric and electronic structural properties of hydrated AcIII cations in the [AcIII(H2O) n ]3+ (n = 4-11) complexes in aqueous solution and gas-phase using density functional theory. We found that nine water molecules coordinated to the AcIII cation is the most stable complex due to an enhanced hydration Gibbs free energy. This complex adopts a closed-shell 18-electron configuration (1S 21P 61D 10) of a superatom state, which indicates a non-negligible covalent character and involves H2O → AcIII σ donation interaction between s-/p-/d-type atomic orbitals of the Ac atom and 2p atomic orbitals of the O atoms. Furthermore, potentially existing 10-coordinated complexes need to overcome an energy barrier (>0.10 eV) caused by hydrogen bonding to convert to 9-coordination. These results imply the importance of superatom states in actinide chemistry generally, and specifically in AcIII solution chemistry, and highlight the conversion mechanism between different coordination numbers.

Analysis of charge density in nonaaquagadolinium(III) trifluoromethanesulfonate - insight into GdIII-OH2 bonding

The experimental charge-density distribution in [Gd(H₂O)₉](CF₃SO₃)₃ has been analysed and compared with the theoretical density functional theory calculations. Although the Gd-OH₂ bonds are mainly ionic, a covalent contribution is detectable when inspecting both the topological parameters of these bonds and the natural bond orbital results. This contribution originates from small electron transfer from the lone pairs of oxygen atoms to empty 5d and 6s spin orbitals of Gd³⁺.

On the Hydration of the Rare Earth Ions in Aqueous Solution

The totally symmetric stretching mode $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) of the first hydration shells of all the rare earth (RE) ions across the series from lanthanum to lutetium has been measured on dilute aqueous perchlorate solutions at room temperature. An S-shaped relationship has been found between the $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) peak positions and the Ln–(OH2) bond distances of the lanthanide(III) aqua ions. While the light rare earth ions form nona-hydrates, the heavy ones form octa-hydrates and the rare earth ions in the middle of the series show non integer hydration numbers between 9 and 8. A relationship between wavenumber positions $$\nu_{1}$$ν1 Ln–(OH2) and the Ln–(OH2) bond distances of the RE hydrates has been given. Recent quantum mechanical calculations support the given interpretation.

Role of Ligand Straining in Complexation of Eu3+-Am3+ Ions by TPEN and PPDEN, Scalar Relativistic DFT Exploration in Conjunction with COSMO-RS

To search for new ligands suitable for the separation of minor actinides (MA) from lanthanides (Ln) in nuclear waste reprocessing, theoretical (density functional theory) studies were carried out on the complexation (structures, bonding, and thermodynamics) of La³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Am³⁺ complexes with moderately soft donor ligands TPEN [N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine] and PPDEN [N,N,N',N″,N″-pentakis(2-pyridylmethyl) diethylenetriamine] in aqueous and nitrobenzene solutions. B3LYP level of theory was used in conjunction with the conductor-like screening model for real systems (COSMO-RS). The metal ions in [M(NO₃)₂(TPEN)]NO₃ and [M(NO₃)(PPDEN)](NO₃)₂ complexes were deca-coordinated with both TPEN and PPDEN. The enthalpy of the complexation with TPEN in an aqueous solution was found to be negative, indicating the exothermic nature of the reaction as observed in the experiments. The calculated values of free energy of complexation follow the experimental trend: Am³⁺ > Sm³⁺ > La³⁺. Furthermore, the calculated free energy with PPDEN is reduced compared to that with TPEN, which may be attributed to the ligand straining during complex formation, which is also reflected in greater residual charges on both the Eu³⁺ and Am³⁺ central ions in the complexes of octadentate PPDEN compared to hexadentate TPEN. The experimental complexation selectivity of Am³⁺ over Eu³⁺ with TPEN is established by employing COSMO-RS. Furthermore, TPEN is Am³⁺-selective, whereas PPDEN is Eu³⁺-selective, which could be exploited for the efficient separation of MA from Ln.

New Insights into the Configurations of Lead(II)-Benzohydroxamic Acid Coordination Compounds in Aqueous Solution: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

Novel collector lead(II)-benzohydroxamic acid (Pb(II)–BHA) complexes in aqueous solution were characterized by using experimental approaches, including Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), as well as first-principle density functional theory (DFT) calculations with consideration for solvation effects. The Job plot delineated that a single coordinated Pb(BHA)+ should be formed first, and that the higher coordination number complexes can be formed subsequently. Moreover, the Pb(II)–BHA species can aggregate with each other to form complicated structures, such as Pb(BHA)2 or highly complicated complexes. ESI-MS results validated the existence of Pb-(BHA)n=1,2 under different solution pH values. Further, the first-principles calculations suggested that Pb(BHA)+ should be the most stable structure, and the Pb atom in Pb(BHA)+ will act as an active site to attack nucleophiles. These findings are meaningful to further illustrate the adsorption mechanism of Pb(II)–BHA complexes, and are helpful for developing new reagents in mineral processing.

Anion dependent ion pairing in concentrated ytterbium halide solutions

We have studied ion pairing of ytterbium halide solutions. THz spectra (30-400 cm^-1) of aqueous YbCl₃ and YbBr₃ solutions reveal fundamental differences in the hydration structures of YbCl₃ and YbBr₃ at high salt concentrations: While for YbBr₃ no indications for a changing local hydration environment of the ions were experimentally observed within the measured concentration range, the spectra of YbCl₃ pointed towards formation of weak contact ion pairs. The proposed anion specificity for ion pairing was confirmed by supplementary Raman measurements.

Ion Transport Mechanisms in Liquid-Liquid Interface

Interfacial liquid-liquid ion transport is of crucial importance to biotechnology and industrial separation processes including nuclear elements and rare earths. A water-in-oil microemulsion is formulated here with density and dimensions amenable to atomistic molecular dynamics simulation, facilitating convergent theoretical and experimental approaches to elucidate interfacial ion transport mechanisms. Lutetium(III) cations are transported from the 5 nm diameter water pools into the surrounding oil using an extractant (a lipophilic ligand). Changes in ion coordination sphere and interactions between the interfacial components are studied using a combination of synchrotron X-ray scattering, spectroscopy, and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. Contrary to existing hypotheses, our model system shows no evidence of interfacial extractant monolayers, but rather ions are exchanged through water channels that penetrate the surfactant monolayer and connect to the oil-based extractant. Our results highlight the dynamic nature of the oil-water interface and show that lipophilic ion shuttles need not form flat monolayer structures to facilitate ion transport across the liquid-liquid interface.

α,β-Substituent effect of dialkylphosphinic acids on lanthanide extraction

The calculational first stability equilibrium constants and experimental extraction equilibrium constants are similar in trend. And the simplified model was used to explore the metal–ligand interactions and effect of alkyl-substituent on extraction.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of dialkylphosphinic acids and a structure–reactivity study in rare earth metal extraction

Dialkylphosphinic acids were synthesized efficiently under microwave irradiation. The extractants with ethyl or propyl substituents at the β-position showed higher separation efficiency.

Structural, energetic, and electronic properties of La(III)-dimethyl sulfoxide clusters

By using accurate density functional theory calculations, we have studied the cluster complexes of a La(3+) ion interacting with a small number of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) molecules of growing size (from 1 to 12). Extended structural, energetic, and electronic structure analyses have been performed to provide a complete picture of the physical properties that are the basis of the interaction of La(III) with DMSO. Recent experimental data in the solid and liquid phase have suggested a coordination number of 8 DMSO molecules with a square antiprism geometry arranged similarly in the liquid and crystalline phases. By using a cluster approach on the La(3+)(DMSO)n gas phase isolated structures, we have found that the 8-fold geometry, albeit less regular than in the crystal, is probably the most stable cluster. Furthermore, we provide new evidence of a 9-fold complexation geometric arrangement that is competitive (at least energetically) with the 8-fold one and that might suggest the existence of transient structures with higher coordination numbers in the liquid phase.

A QMCF-MD investigation of the structure and dynamics of Ce4+ in aqueous solution

A quantum-mechanical charge-field molecular dynamics simulation has been performed for a tetravalent Ce ion in aqueous solution. In this framework, the complete first and second hydration spheres are treated by ab initio quantum mechanics supplemented by an electrostatic embedding technique, making the construction of non-Coulombic solute-solvent potentials unnecessary. During the 10 ps of simulation time, the structural aspects of the solution were analyzed by various methods. Experimental results such as the mean Ce-O bond distance and the predicted first-shell coordination number were compared to the results obtained from the simulation resolving some ambiguities in the literature. The dynamics of the system were characterized by mean ligand residence times and frequency/force constant calculations. Furthermore, Ce-O and Ce-H angular radial distribution plots were employed, yielding deeper insight into the structural and dynamical aspects of the system.