1
|
Niu Q, Yu TY, Shi JW, Huang Q, Dong LZ, Yu F, Li SL, Liu J, Lan YQ. Constructing Functional Radiation-Resistant Thorium Clusters for Catalytic Redox Reactions. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 39018421 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c03126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
When catalytic reactions are interfered with by radiation sources, thorium clusters are promising as potential catalysts due to their superior radiation resistance. However, there is currently very little research on the design synthesis and catalytic application of radiation-stable thorium clusters. In this work, we have elaborately engineered and fabricated three high-nuclear thorium cluster catalysts denoted as Th12L3-MA12, Th12L3-MA6-BF6, and Th12L3-Fcc12, which did not undergo any significant alterations in their molecular structures and compositions after irradiation with 690 kGy γ-rays. We systematically investigated the photocatalytic/thermocatalytic properties of these radiation-resistant thorium clusters for the first time and found that γ-rays could not alter their catalytic activities. In addition, it was found that ligand engineering could modulate the catalytic activity of thorium clusters, thus expanding the range of catalytic applications of thorium clusters, including reduction reactions (nitroarene reduction) and some oxidation reactions (N-heterocyclic oxidative dehydrogenation and diphenylmethane oxidation). Meanwhile, all of these organic transformation reactions achieved a >80% conversion and nearly 100% product selectivity. Radiation experiments combined with DFT calculations showed that the synergistic catalysis of thorium-oxo core and ligands led to the generation of specific active species (H+, O2•-, or tBuO/tBuOO•) and activation of substrate molecules, thus achieving superior catalytic performance. This work is not only the first to develop radiation-resistant thorium cluster catalysts to perform efficient redox reactions but also provides design ideas for the construction of high-nuclearity thorium clusters under mild conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Niu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Power Batteries, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Tao-Yuan Yu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Power Batteries, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Jing-Wen Shi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Qing Huang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, P. R. China
| | - Long-Zhang Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Fei Yu
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Power Batteries, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
| | - Shun-Li Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Jiang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| | - Ya-Qian Lan
- Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Centre of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of New Power Batteries, School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Resource Utilization, School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Li ZJ, Guo X, Qiu J, Lu H, Wang JQ, Lin J. Recent advances in the applications of thorium-based metal-organic frameworks and molecular clusters. Dalton Trans 2022; 51:7376-7389. [PMID: 35438104 DOI: 10.1039/d2dt00265e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This perspective highlights the recent advances in the structural and practical aspects of thorium-based metal-organic frameworks (Th-MOFs) and molecular clusters. Thorium, as an underexplored actinide, features surprisingly rich coordination geometries and accessibility of the 5f orbital. These features lead to a myriad of topologies and electronic structures, many of which are undocumented for other tetravalent metal-containing MOFs or clusters. Moreover, Th-MOFs inherit the modularity, structural tunability, porosity, and versatile functionality of the state-of-the-art MOFs. Recognizing the radioactive nature of these thorium-bearing materials that may limit their practical uses, Th-MOFs and Th-clusters still have great potential for various applications, including radionuclide sequestration, hydrocarbon storage/separation, radiation detection, photoswitch, CO2 conversion, photocatalysis, and electrocatalysis. The objective of this updated perspective is to propose pathways for the renaissance of interest in thorium-based materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Jian Li
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019 Jia Luo Road, Shanghai 201800, P. R. China
| | - Xiaofeng Guo
- Department of Chemistry and Alexandra Navrotsky Institute for Experimental Thermodynamics, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4630, USA
| | - Jie Qiu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China.
| | - Huangjie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019 Jia Luo Road, Shanghai 201800, P. R. China
| | - Jian-Qiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Interfacial Physics and Technology, Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2019 Jia Luo Road, Shanghai 201800, P. R. China
| | - Jian Lin
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ibrahim SM, Zhang Y, Xue Y, Yang S, Ma F, Tian G. Extraction of Lanthanides(III) along with Thorium(IV) from Chloride Solutions by N,N-di(2-Ethylhexyl)-Diglycolamic Acid. SOLVENT EXTRACTION AND ION EXCHANGE 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/07366299.2020.1730368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sherif M. Ibrahim
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
- Rare Earth Elements Separation Project, Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Xue
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
| | - Suliang Yang
- Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
| | - Fuqiu Ma
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
| | - Guoxin Tian
- College of Nuclear Science and Technology, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China
- Department of Radiochemistry, China Institute of Atomic Energy, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Thorium is the most abundant actinide in the Earth’s crust and has universally been considered one of the most immobile elements in natural aqueous systems. This view, however, is based almost exclusively on solubility data obtained at low temperature and their theoretical extrapolation to elevated temperature. The occurrence of hydrothermal deposits with high concentrations of Th challenges the Th immobility paradigm and strongly suggests that Th may be mobilized by some aqueous fluids. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that Th, indeed, is highly mobile at temperatures between 175 and 250 °C in sulfate-bearing aqueous fluids due to the formation of the highly stable Th(SO4)2 aqueous complex. The results of this study indicate that current models grossly underestimate the mobility of Th in hydrothermal fluids, and thus the behavior of Th in ore-forming systems and the nuclear fuel cycle needs to be re-evaluated.
Collapse
|
5
|
Endrizzi F, Gaona X, Zhang Z, Xu C, Rao L, Garcia-Perez C, Altmaier M. Thermodynamic description of U(VI) solubility and hydrolysis in dilute to concentrated NaCl solutions at T = 25, 55 and 80 °C. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2019. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2018-3056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The solubility and hydrolysis of U(VI) were investigated in 0.10–5.6 m NaCl solutions with 4 ≤ pHm ≤ 14.3 (pHm = −log [H+]) at T = 25, 55 and 80 °C. Batch experiments were conducted under Ar atmosphere in the absence of carbonate. Solubility was studied from undersaturation conditions using UO3 · 2H2O(cr) and Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) solid phases, equilibrated in acidic (4 ≤ pHm ≤ 6) and alkaline (8.2 ≤ pHm ≤ 14.3) NaCl solutions, respectively. Solid phases were previously tempered in solution at T = 80 °C to avoid changes in the crystallinity of the solid phase in the course of the solubility experiments. Starting materials and solid phases isolated at the end of the solubility experiments were characterized by powder XRD, SEM-EDS, TRLFS and quantitative chemical analysis. The enthalpy of dissolution of Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) at 25–80 °C was measured independently by means of solution-drop calorimetry. Solid phase characterization indicates the transformation of UO3 · 2H2O(cr) into a sodium uranate-like phase with a molar ratio Na:U ≈ 0.4–0.5 in acidic solutions with [NaCl] ≥ 0.51 m at T = 80 °C. In contrast, Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) equilibrated in alkaline NaCl solutions remains unaltered within the investigated pHm, NaCl concentration and temperature range. The solubility of Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) in the alkaline pHm-range is noticeably enhanced at T = 55 and 80 °C relative to T = 25 °C. Combined results from solubility and calorimetric experiments indicate that this effect results from the increased acidity of water at elevated temperature, together with an enhanced hydrolysis of U(VI) and a minor contribution due to a decreased stability of Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) under these experimental conditions. A thermodynamic model describing the solubility and hydrolysis equilibria of U(VI) in alkaline solutions at T = 25–80 °C is developed, including
log
*
K
s
,
0
°
{
Na
2
U
2
O
7
⋅
H
2
O
(
cr
)
}
,
log
*
β
1
,
4
∘
$\log^* {\rm K}_{\rm s,0}^{\circ} \ \{{\rm Na}_{2}{\rm U}_{2}{\rm O}_{7} \cdot {\rm H}_{2}{\rm O}({\rm cr})\}, \log^{*} \beta _{1,4}^{\circ} $
and related reaction enthalpies. The standard free energy and enthalpy of formation of Na2U2O7 · H2O(cr) calculated from these data are also provided. These data can be implemented in thermodynamic databases and allow accurate solubility and speciation calculations for U(VI) in dilute to concentrated alkaline NaCl solutions in the temperature range T = 25–80 °C.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Endrizzi
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal , P.O. Box 3640 , 76021 Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Xavier Gaona
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal , P.O. Box 3640 , 76021 Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Zhicheng Zhang
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Chemical Sciences Division , One Cyclotron Road , Berkeley, CA 94720 , USA
| | - Chao Xu
- Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology, Tsinghua University , Beijing 100084 , P.R. China
| | - Linfeng Rao
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory , Chemical Sciences Division , One Cyclotron Road , Berkeley, CA 94720 , USA
| | - Carmen Garcia-Perez
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal , P.O. Box 3640 , 76021 Karlsruhe , Germany
| | - Marcus Altmaier
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institute for Nuclear Waste Disposal , P.O. Box 3640 , 76021 Karlsruhe , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Carter KP, Ridenour JA, Kalaj M, Cahill CL. A Thorium Metal‐Organic Framework with Outstanding Thermal and Chemical Stability. Chemistry 2019; 25:7114-7118. [DOI: 10.1002/chem.201901610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Korey P. Carter
- Department of Chemistry The George Washington University Washington D.C. 20052 USA
- Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - J. August Ridenour
- Department of Chemistry The George Washington University Washington D.C. 20052 USA
| | - Mark Kalaj
- Department of Chemistry The George Washington University Washington D.C. 20052 USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of California San Diego, La Jolla CA 92093 USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wang B, Xia CJ, Fang HL, Chen WJ, Zhang YF, Huang X. Mononuclear thorium halide clusters ThX 4 (X = F, Cl): gas-phase hydrolysis reactions. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:21184-21193. [PMID: 30083693 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp03071e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to explore the gas-phase hydrolysis reaction of mononuclear thorium halide clusters ThX4 (X = F, Cl). We have found that the hydrolysis of ThCl4 is easier than that of ThF4. Furthermore, their hydrolysis reactions favor pathways of direct dehydration of Th(OH)4 instead of further hydrolysis of ThOX2. There are some differences between the hydrolysis of ThCl4 and that of MCl4 (M = Ti, Zr and Hf). The X-HY (X = F, Cl; Y = F, Cl and OH) hydrogen bonds play an important role in the hydrogen transfer process of the hydrolysis reaction. The differences in the steric effects and bonding may be important factors that are related to the disparities in the hydrolysis of the above-mentioned metal halides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350116, P. R. China.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Computational study of Th(4+) and Np(4+) hydration and hydrolysis of Th(4+) from first principles. J Mol Model 2017; 23:69. [PMID: 28197840 DOI: 10.1007/s00894-017-3252-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The aqueous solvation of Th and Np in the IV oxidation state was examined using cluster models generated by Monte Carlo simulations and density functional theory embedded within the COSMO continuum model to approximate the effect of bulk water. Our results suggest that the coordination number (CN) for both Th(IV) and NP(IV) should be 9, in accordance to some experimental and theoretical results from the literature. The structural values for average oxygen-metal distances are within 0.01 Å compared to experimental data, and also within the experimental error. The calculated ΔG Sol0 are in very good agreement with experimental reported values, with deviations at CN = 9 lower than 1% for both Th(IV) and Np(IV). The hydrolysis constants are also in very good agreement with experimental values. Finally, this [corrected] methodology has the advantage of using a GGA functional (BP86) that not only makes the calculations more affordable computationally than hybrid functional or ab initio molecular dynamics simulations (Car-Parrinello) calculations, but also opens the perspective to use resolution of identity (RI) calculations for more extended systems.
Collapse
|