Heterobimetallic uranyl(VI) alkoxides of lanthanoids: formation through simple ligand exchange

Lanthanoid and actinoid silylamides are versatile starting materials. Herein we show how a simple ligand exchange with tert-butanol leads to the formation of the first trimeric heterobimetallic uranyl(VI)-lanthanoid(III) alkoxide complexes. The μ³ coordination of the endogenous uranyl oxo atom results in a significant elongation of the bond length and a significant deviation from the linear uranyl arrangement.

Noncomplexed Cucurbituril-Mediated Structural Evolution of Layered Uranyl Terephthalate Compounds

Template synthesis is one of the most feasible ways to explore new uranyl compounds with intriguing structures and properties. Here we demonstrate the preparation of six novel "sandwichlike" uranyl coordination polymers (UCPs) based on two-dimensional uranyl-terephthalate acid (H₂TP) networks using CBn (n = 5, 6, 8) as template ligands in the presence of different cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, or H₂N(CH₃)₂⁺). Compound 1 ([UO₂(TP)₂][Na₂(CB5)(H₂O)](H₂O)₅) is composed of layered uranyl-TP networks with the complex of CB5 and sodium cations as template ligands. In compound 2 ([(UO₂)₂(TP)₃]₂(CB6)(H₂O)₁₀), CB6 located between uranyl-TP networks contacts them by π-π interactions and hydrogen bonds. Compound 3 ([(UO₂)₂(TP)₃]₂[Na₂(H₂O)₁₀(CB6)]) is the same as compound 2 except for sodium cations bonding with CB6. Similarly in compound 4 ([(UO₂)₂(TP)₃][Cs(H₂O)₃(CB6)]), CB6 is a capsulelike structure capped with two cesium cations and interacts with uranyl-TP networks through π-π and C-H···π interactions. Compound 5 ([(UO₂)₂(TP)₃(HCOO)₂][K(H₂O)₂(CB5)]₂[H₂N(CH₃)₂]₂(CB6)(H₂O)₆) consists of both templates of CB6 and CB5 in which each CB5 is capped with one potassium cation while the H₂N(CH₃)₂⁺ cation is held at CB6 portals. In compound 6 ([(UO₂)₂(TP)₃]₂[UO₂(TP)₂(H₂O)₂][Cs(CB8)₃(H₂O)₄](H₂O)₁₆), CB8 ligands are connected by cesium cations to form a triangle motif and are further located between the uranyl-TP networks as template agents. All of the 2D layered structures with free CBn or cation-anchored CBn intercalate into the laminates of uranyl-terephthalate and shows a cucurbituril-mediated structural evolution. The regulating role of CBn as structure-directing template agents for the construction of layered UCPs through outer-surface interactions with layers of uranyl terephthalate is demonstrated, especially for the case of CB6 with contractive interlayer spacing.

The sulfonate group as a ligand: a fine balance between hydrogen bonding and metal ion coordination in uranyl ion complexes

Nine uranyl ion complexes have been synthesized using two kinds of sulfonate-containing ligands, i.e. 2-, 3- and 4-sulfobenzoic acids (2-, 3- and 4-SBH₂), which include additional carboxylic donors, and p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene (H₈C4S), with additional phenolic groups, and [Ni(cyclam)]²⁺, [Cu(R,S-Me₆cyclam)]²⁺ or PPh₄⁺ as counterions. [Ni(cyclam)][UO₂(4-SB)₂(H₂O)₂]·2CH₃CN (1) and [Ni(cyclam)][UO₂(3-SB)₂(H₂O)₂] (2) are molecular species in which only the carboxylate groups are coordinated to uranyl, the sulfonate groups being essentially hydrogen bond acceptors. In contrast, uranyl κ¹-O(S);κ¹-O(C)-chelation is found in the four complexes involving 2-SB^2-, different bridging interactions producing diverse geometries. [UO₂(2-SB)₂Ni(cyclam)]·H₂O (3) crystallizes as a two-dimensional (2D) assembly with fes topology, in which uranyl ion dimeric subunits are bridged by six-coordinate Ni^II cations. Complexes [UO₂(2-SB)₂Cu(R,S-Me₆cyclam)]₂·2H₂O (4) and [(UO₂)₂(2-SB)₂(C₂O₄)Cu(R,S-Me₆cyclam)] (5), obtained together from the same solution, are a molecular tetranuclear complex and a 2D species with fes topology, respectively, depending on the coordination number, 5 or 6, of the Cu^II cation. The complex [PPh₄]₂[(UO₂)₂(2-SB)₃(H₂O)]·H₂O (6) is a one-dimensional (1D), ribbon-like coordination polymer with a layered packing of alternate cationic and anionic sheets. No heterometallic complex was obtained with H₈C4S, but the copper-only compound [{Cu(R,S-Me₆cyclam)}₅(H₃C4S)₂]·17H₂O (7) displays mixed coordination/hydrogen bonding association of the copper azamacrocycle complex with the phenolic groups. The complexes [PPh₄]₅[UO₂(H₄C4S)(H₂O)₄][UO₂(H₃C4S)(H₂O)₄]·14H₂O (8) and [PPh₄]₃[UO₂(H₃C4S)(H₂O)₃]·9H₂O (9) were crystallized from the same solution and are a molecular complex and a 1D polymer, respectively, with monodentate sulfonate coordination to uranyl, while [PPh₄]₂[UO₂(H₄C4S)(H₂O)₃]·11H₂O (10) is also a 1D polymer. The anionic complexes in the last three complexes form layers (9) or double layers (8 and 10) separated from one another by hydrophobic layers of PPh₄⁺ cations. The balance between coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions with the macrocyclic ligands provides an indication of the energy of the sulfonate coordinate bond. Complex 6 is the only luminescent species in this series, albeit with a low quantum yield of 3%, and its emission spectrum is typical of a uranyl complex with five equatorial donors.

Recent advances in structural studies of heterometallic uranyl-containing coordination polymers and polynuclear closed species

A survey is given of recent original structural results on heterometallic species incorporating uranyl ions, particularly with carboxylate ligands.

Upconversion nanoparticles with a strong acid-resistant capping

Water-dispersible upconversion nanoparticles (β-NaYF4:Yb(3+),Er(3+), UCNP) coated with a thin shell of a biocompatible copolymer comprising 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulphonsulphonic acid (AMPS), which we will term COP, have been prepared by multidentate grafting. This capping is remarkably resistant to strong acidic conditions as low as pH 2. The additional functionality of the smart UCNP@COP nanosystem has been proved by its association to a well-known photosensitizer (namely, methylene blue, MB). The green-to-red emission ratio of the UC@COP@MB nanohybrid exhibits excellent linear dependence in the 7 to 2 pH range as a consequence of the release of the dye as the pH decreases.

Synthesis, crystal structure, photoluminescence property and photoelectronic behavior of two uranyl-organic frameworks constructed from 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as ligand

By using 1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid as organic ligands, two uranyl coordination complexes, (UO2)2(bta)(DMA)2 (1) and [(UO2)2(bta)(μ3-OH2)]·2[HN(CH3)2]·H2O (2) (H4bta=1, 2, 4, 5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, DMA=N,N-Dimethylacetamide) were synthesized. The X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that complex 1 exhibits a 3-demensional framework, while complex 2 exhibits a 2-demensional framework. In order to furthermore characterize the two complexes and extend their functional properties, spectroscopies of IR, UV-vis, photoluminescence and surface photovoltage were also studied primarily. In addition, thermogravimetric analyses and photocatalytic studies for complexes 1 and 2 were discussed in detail.

An exploration of homo- and heterometallic UO22+ hybrid materials containing chelidamic acid: synthesis, structure, and luminescence studies

Eight U(vi)–chelidamate compounds highlight the structural significance of modified ligands as sources for direct metal–ligand coordination or halogen-based interaction platforms.