1
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Park KC, Lim J, Thaggard GC, Shustova NB. Mining for Metal-Organic Systems: Chemistry Frontiers of Th-, U-, and Zr-Materials. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:18189-18204. [PMID: 38943655 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c06088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
The conceptual framework presented in this Perspective overviews the design principles of innovative thorium-based materials that could address urgent needs of the medicinal, nuclear energy, and waste remediation sectors from the lens of zirconium and uranium analogs. We survey the intersections of Zr, Th, and U chemistry with a focus on how the intrinsic behavior of each metal translates to broader material properties, including, but not limited to, structural and topological diversity, preferential metal-ligand binding, and reactivity. On the example of several classes of materials, including organometallic complexes, polyoxometalates, and the primary focus of this Perspective, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), the design principles that govern the preparation of Zr-, Th-, and U-compounds, including oxophilicity, variation in oxidation states, and stable coordination environments have been considered. Further, we highlight how the impact of the mentioned variables may shift throughout the progression from discrete molecular systems to extended structures. We discuss the common assumption that zirconium-organic materials are typically considered a close analog of thorium-based congeners in areas such as material design and preparation. Through consideration of fundamental chemistry principles, we shed light on the relationships between Zr-, Th-, and U-based materials and highlight how a critical analysis of their distinct properties can be used to target a desired material performance. As a result, we provide a detailed understanding of Th-based materials chemistry by anchoring their fundamental properties between two well-studied reference points, zirconium- and uranium-containing analogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Chul Park
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Jaewoong Lim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Grace C Thaggard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
| | - Natalia B Shustova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, 631 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208, United States
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2
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Patra K, Brennessel WW, Matson EM. Molecular Models of Atomically Dispersed Uranium at MoS 2 Surfaces Reveal Cooperative Mechanism of Water Reduction. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38984489 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c05002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Single atoms of uranium supported on molybdenum sulfide surfaces (U@MoS2) have been recently demonstrated to facilitate the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) through electrocatalysis. Theoretical calculations have predicted uranium hydroxide moieties bound to edge-sulfur atoms of MoS2 as a proposed transition state involved in the HER process. However, the isolation of relevant intermediates involved in this process remains a challenge, rendering mechanistic hypotheses unverified. The present work describes the isolation and characterization of a uranium-hydroxide intermediate on molybdenum sulfide surfaces using [(Cp*3Mo3S4)UCp*], a molecular model of a reduced uranium center supported at MoS2. Mechanistic investigations highlight the metalloligand cooperativity with uranium involved in the water activation pathway. The corresponding uranium-oxo analogue, [(Cp*3Mo3S4)Cp*U(═O)], was also accessed from the hydroxide cluster via hydrogen atom transfer and from [(Cp*3Mo3S4)UCp*] through an alternative direct oxygen atom transfer. These results provide an atomistic perspective on the reactivity of low-valent uranium at molybdenum sulfide surfaces toward water, modeling key intermediates associated with the HER of U@MoS2 catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamaless Patra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - William W Brennessel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
| | - Ellen M Matson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14627, United States
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3
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Samuvel Michael D, Schreckenbach G. Bis(acyl)phosphide Complexes of U(III)/U(IV): A Case of a Hidden Redox-Active Ligand. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9711-9714. [PMID: 38749025 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The recently reported tris(bis(2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoyl)-phosphide)uranium (UIII(trippBAP)3, 2) complex (Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61 (32), 12508-12517) demonstrated a silent 31P NMR spectrum. This complex was described as a U(III) complex with an organic radical ligand fragment. Moreover, the EPR spectrum of 2 was indicative of an organic radical in the ligand framework complexed to uranium, in contrast to that of UIV(mesBAP)4, 1. Herein, with the help of relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the electronic structures of 1, 2, and U(mesBAP)3 (4) are examined in an effort to understand the unusual 31P NMR spectrum of 2. Results indicate the reduction of the carbonyl bonds and delocalization of the electrons over the ligands, indicative of U → L backbonding. Additionally, the reduced acyl carbons are found to exist as ketyl radicals [O═C• -] that are responsible for the silent 31P NMR spectra of 2. These findings demonstrate the redox noninnocent nature of BAP- in 2 and 4, causing uranium to exist in a formal oxidation state of +4.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Samuvel Michael
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
| | - Georg Schreckenbach
- Department of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3T 2N2
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4
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Deng C, Liang J, Wang Y, Huang W. Reduction of Thorium Tris(amido)arene Complexes: Reversible Double and Single C-C Couplings. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9676-9686. [PMID: 38696837 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2024]
Abstract
The reduction chemistry of thorium complexes is less explored compared to that of their uranium counterparts. Here, we report the synthesis, characterization, and reduction chemistry of two thorium(IV) complexes, (AdTPBN3)ThCl (1) and (DtbpTPBN3)ThCl(THF) (4) [RTPBN3 = 1,3,5-[2-(RN)C6H4]3C6H3; R = 1-adamantyl (Ad) or 3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl (Dtbp); THF = tetrahydrofuran], supported by tripodal tris(amido)arene ligands with different N-substituents. Reduction of 1 with excessive potassium in n-pentane yielded a double C-C coupling product, [(AdTPBN3)ThK(Et2O)2]2 (3), featuring a unique tetraanionic tricyclic core. On the other hand, reduction of 4 with 1 equiv of KC8 in hexanes/1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) afforded a single C-C coupling product, [(DtbpTPBN3)Th(DME)]2 (5), with a dianionic bis(cyclohexadienyl) core. The solid- and solution-state structures of dinuclear thorium(IV) complexes 3 and 5 were established by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, reactivity studies show that 3 and 5 can behave as thorium(II) and thorium(III) synthons to reduce organic halides. For instance, 3 and 5 are able to reduce 4 and 2 equiv of benzyl chloride, respectively, to regenerate 1 and 4 with concomitant formation of dibenzyl. Reversible C-C couplings under redox conditions provide an alternative approach to exploiting the potential of thorium arene complexes in redox chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chong Deng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jiefeng Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Wenliang Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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5
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Fang W, Li Y, Zhang T, Rajeshkumar T, Del Rosal I, Zhao Y, Wang T, Wang S, Maron L, Zhu C. Oxidative Addition of E-H (E=C, N) Bonds to Transient Uranium(II) Centers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202407339. [PMID: 38714494 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202407339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/10/2024]
Abstract
Two-electron oxidative addition is one of the most important elementary reactions for d-block transition metals but it is uncommon for f-block elements. Here, we report the first examples of intermolecular oxidative addition of E-H (E=C, N) bonds to uranium(II) centers. The transient U(II) species was formed in-situ by reducing a heterometallic cluster featuring U(IV)-Pd(0) bonds with potassium-graphite (KC8). Oxidative addition of C-H or N-H bonds to the U(II) centers was observed when this transient U(II) species was treated with benzene, carbazole or 1-adamantylamine, respectively. The U(II) centers could also react with tetracene, biphenylene or N2O, leading to the formation of arene reduced U(IV) products and uranyl(VI) species via two- or four-electron processes. This study demonstrates that the intermolecular two-electron oxidative addition reactions are viable for actinide elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yafei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tianze Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- LPCNO, CNRS & INSA, Université Paul Sabatier, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Iker Del Rosal
- LPCNO, CNRS & INSA, Université Paul Sabatier, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Yue Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Tianwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Shuao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, School for Radiological and interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiation Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Laurent Maron
- LPCNO, CNRS & INSA, Université Paul Sabatier, 135 Avenue de Rangueil, 31077, Toulouse, France
| | - Congqing Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Organic Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
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Hsueh FC, Chen D, Rajeshkumar T, Scopelliti R, Maron L, Mazzanti M. Two-Electron Redox Reactivity of Thorium Supported by Redox-Active Tripodal Frameworks. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317346. [PMID: 38100190 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/31/2023]
Abstract
The high stability of the + IVoxidation state limits thorium redox reactivity. Here we report the synthesis and the redox reactivity of two Th(IV) complexes supported by the arene-tethered tris(siloxide) tripodal ligands [(KOSiR2 Ar)3 -arene)]. The two-electron reduction of these Th(IV) complexes generates the doubly reduced [KTh((OSi(Ot Bu)2 Ar)3 -arene)(THF)2 ] (2OtBu ) and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Th((OSiPh2 Ar)3 -arene)(THF)2 ](2Ph -crypt) where the formal oxidation state of Th is +II. Structural and computational studies indicate that the reduction occurred at the arene anchor of the ligand. The robust tripodal frameworks store in the arene anchor two electrons that become available at the metal center for the two-electron reduction of a broad range of substrates (N2 O, COT, CHT, Ph2 N2 , Ph3 PS and O2 ) while retaining the ligand framework. This work shows that arene-tethered tris(siloxide) tripodal ligands allow implementation of two-electron redox chemistry at the thorium center while retaining the ligand framework unchanged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Che Hsueh
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Damien Chen
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thayalan Rajeshkumar
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Laurent Maron
- Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-objets, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées, 31077, Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland
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Chowdhury SR, Goodwin CAP, Vlaisavljevich B. What is the nature of the uranium(iii)-arene bond? Chem Sci 2024; 15:1810-1819. [PMID: 38303954 PMCID: PMC10829017 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc04715f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Complexes of the form [U(η6-arene)(BH4)3] where arene = C6H6; C6H5Me; C6H3-1,3,5-R3 (R = Et, iPr, tBu, Ph); C6Me6; and triphenylene (C6H4)3 were investigated towards an understanding of the nature of the uranium-arene interaction. Density functional theory (DFT) shows the interaction energy reflects the interplay between higher energy electron rich π-systems which drive electrostatic contributions, and lower energy electron poor π-systems which give rise to larger orbital contributions. The interaction is weak in all cases, which is consistent with the picture that emerges from a topological analysis of the electron density where metrics indicative of covalency show limited dependence on the nature of the ligand - the interaction is predominantly electrostatic in nature. Complete active space natural orbital analyses reveal low occupancy U-arene π-bonding interactions dominate in all cases, while δ-bonding interactions are only found with high-symmetry and electron-rich C6Me6. Finally, both DFT and multireference calculations on a reduced, formally U(ii), congener, [U(C6Me6)(BH4)3]-, suggests the electronic structure (S = 1 or 2), and hence metal oxidation state, of such a species cannot be deduced from structural features such as arene distortion alone. We show that arene geometry strongly depends on the spin-state of the complex, but that in both spin-states the complex is best described as U(iii) with an arene-centred radical.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Conrad A P Goodwin
- Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL UK
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL UK
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8
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Liang H, Mu Y, Yin M, He PP, Guo W. Solar-powered simultaneous highly efficient seawater desalination and highly specific target extraction with smart DNA hydrogels. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadj1677. [PMID: 38134281 PMCID: PMC10745703 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj1677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Obtaining freshwater and important minerals from seawater with solar power facilitates the sustainable development of human society. Hydrogels have demonstrated great solar-powered water evaporation potential, but highly efficient and specific target extraction remains to be expanded. Here, we report the simultaneous highly efficient seawater desalination and specific extraction of uranium with smart DNA hydrogels. The DNA hydrogel greatly promoted the evaporation of water, with the water evaporation rate reached a high level of 3.54 kilograms per square meter per hour (1 kilowatt per square meter). Simultaneously, uranyl-specific DNA hydrogel exhibited a high capture capacity of 5.7 milligrams per gram for uranium from natural seawater due to the rapid ion transport driven by the solar powered interfacial evaporation and the high selectivity (10.4 times over vanadium). With programmable functions and easy-to-use devices, the system is expected to play a role in future seawater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanxue Liang
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yali Mu
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Mengyuan Yin
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Ping-Ping He
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Weiwei Guo
- Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biosensing and Molecular Recognition, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China
- Smart Sensing Interdisciplinary Science Center, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
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9
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Wang Y, Liang J, Deng C, Sun R, Fu PX, Wang BW, Gao S, Huang W. Two-Electron Oxidations at a Single Cerium Center. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:22466-22474. [PMID: 37738079 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c06613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Two-electron oxidations are ubiquitous and play a key role in the synthesis and catalysis. For transition metals and actinides, two-electron oxidation often takes place at a single-metal site. However, redox reactions at rare-earth metals have been limited to one-electron processes due to the lack of accessible oxidation states. Despite recent advancements in nontraditional oxidation state chemistry, the low stability of low-valent compounds and large disparity among different oxidation states prevented the implementation of two-electron processes at a single rare-earth metal center. Here we report two-electron oxidations at a cerium(II) center to yield cerium(IV) terminal oxo and imido complexes. A series of cerium(II-IV) complexes supported by a tripodal tris(amido)arene ligand were synthesized and characterized. Experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the cerium(II) complex is best described as a 4f2 ion stabilized by δ-backdonation to the anchoring arene, while the cerium(IV) oxo and imido complexes exhibit multiple bonding characters. The accomplishment of two-electron oxidations at a single cerium center brings a new facet to molecular rare-earth metal chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Jiefeng Liang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Chong Deng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Rong Sun
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Magnetoelectric Materials and Devices, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Peng-Xiang Fu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Bing-Wu Wang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Magnetoelectric Materials and Devices, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
| | - Song Gao
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
- Spin-X Institute, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory of Optoelectronic and Magnetic Functional Materials, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, P. R. China
| | - Wenliang Huang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, P. R. China
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