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Preparation of Neptunyl and Plutonyl Acetates To Access Nonaqueous Transuranium Coordination Chemistry

Journal Article · · Journal of the American Chemical Society
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c04613· OSTI ID:2497268
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4]
  1. Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
  2. Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
  3. State Univ. of New York at Buffalo, NY (United States)
  4. Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KS (United States)
Uranyl diacetate dihydrate is a useful reagent for the preparation of uranyl (UO22+) coordination complexes, as it is a well-defined stoichiometric compound featuring moderately basic acetates that can facilitate protonolysis reactivity, unlike other anions commonly used in synthetic actinide chemistry such as halides or nitrate. Despite these attractive features, analogous neptunium (Np) and plutonium (Pu) compounds are unknown to date. Here, in this study, a modular synthetic route is reported for accessing stoichiometric neptunyl(VI) and plutonyl(VI) diacetate compounds that can serve as starting materials for transuranic coordination chemistry. The new NpO22+ and PuO22+ complexes, as well as a corresponding molecular UO22+ complex, are isomorphous in the solid state, and in solution show similar solubility properties that facilitate their use in synthesis. In both solid and solution state, the +VI oxidation state (O.S.) is maintained, as demonstrated by vibrational and optical spectroscopy, confirming that acetate anions stabilize the oxidizing, high-valent +VI states of Np and Pu as they do for the more stable U(VI). All three acetate salts readily react with a model diprotic ligand, affording incorporation of U(VI), Np(VI), and Pu(VI) cores into molecular coordination compounds that occurs concomitantly with elimination of acetic acid; the new complexes are high-valent, yet overall charge neutral, facilitating entry into nonaqueous chemistry by rational synthesis. Computational studies reveal that the dianionic ligand framework assists in stabilizing the +VI O.S. via donation to the 5f shells of the actinides, highlighting the potential usefulness of protonolysis reactivity toward preparation of stabilized high-valent transuranic species.
Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences & Biosciences Division (CSGB); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Office of Workforce Development for Teachers & Scientists (WDTS)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357; SC0001136; SC0014664; SC0019169
OSTI ID:
2497268
Journal Information:
Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal Name: Journal of the American Chemical Society Journal Issue: 31 Vol. 146; ISSN 0002-7863
Publisher:
American Chemical Society (ACS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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