A 31p and 15N NMR study of the extraction of uranyl nitrate by Di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid

Low temperature ³¹P and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the species forming in the organic layer following the extraction of uranium from nitric acid solutions with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid. It was found that uranium is extracted from neutral solutions as the 1:2 complex UO₂A₂ regardless of what anion is present. For dilute nitric acid solutions, the uranium is extracted both as associated and mixed nitrato species. As the nitric acid concentration of the aqueous layer increases, the mixed nitrato complex, UO2(NO₃)A·HA, becomes predominant.     

Solvent-extraction complex of uranium(VI) with cis,syn, cis-dicyclohexano-18-crown-6

The extraction of U(VI)with dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (mixed isomers or isomer A) from HCl medium is effective and selective, and can be used for separating and analysing uranium and thorium. However, little is known of the properties of the extraction complex of uranium with crown-ether in organic phase. In this paper we report the preparation, characteristic and structure of the crystalline extraction complex IaUO₂Cl₂HClH₂O, Iabeing isomer A of dicyclohexano-18-crown-6.After extracting uranium(VI) from aqueous hydrochloric acid solution with Ia in 1,2-dichloroethane, the crystalline product of the extraction complex was prepared from the organic phase by diluting with a non-polar solvent at 25 °C. The content of uranium, crown-ether and HCl was determined. The IR spectrum of the crystals shows that the strong hydronium-crown ether/oxygen hydrogen bond absorption is found in the region 2300–2400 cm⁻¹. The chemical shift in the range 9–12 ppm was observed. The ¹H NMR signal of hydronium protons appears at 9.890 ppm. The results of assay correspond to the formula Ia₂·(H₃O⁺)₂·UO₂Cl₄²⁻.Crystal structure of the extraction complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystals are monoclinic, space group C_2/c (No. 15) a=32.464, b=10.203, c=21.616 Å, β=119.73° and Z=4. In the complex each of the two H₃O⁺ cations is anchored in the crown-ether cavity by three stronger hydrogen bonds (distances approximately 2.65 Å), whereas uranium forms UO₂Cl₄²⁻ with Cl⁻ as counterion about 8 Å away from the H₃O⁺.     

The diffusion coefficients and viscosities of the UO2(NO3)2·2TBP complex in organic solvents

The diffusion coefficients and the solution viscosities of the UO₂(NO₃)₂·2TBP complex in 12 solvents (tributylphosphate, n-hexane, n-dodecane and 9 mixed solvents) at 298 K were determined by use of an analytical ultracentrifuge and an Ubbelohde viscometer. It is shown in the mixed solvents that all systems obeyed the Jones-Dole relation. The product of diffusion coefficient and viscosity is roughly constant, corresponding to an Einstein -Stokes radius of 0.54 nm for the uranium complex.     

A p and N NMR study of the extraction of uranyl nitrate by Di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid

Low temperature ³¹P and ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the species forming in the organic layer following the extraction of uranium from nitric acid solutions with di-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid. It was found that uranium is extracted from neutral solutions as the 1:2 complex UO₂A₂ regardless of what anion is present. For dilute nitric acid solutions, the uranium is extracted both as associated and mixed nitrato species. As the nitric acid concentration of the aqueous layer increases, the mixed nitrato complex, UO2(NO₃)A·HA, becomes predominant.     

Thermodynamics and coordination characteristics of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 extraction complex

The extraction equilibrium of the hydronium-uranium(VI)-dicyclohexano-24-crown-8 complex was carried out in the crown ether1,2-dichloroethaneHCl aqueous solution system at different temperatures. The extraction complex has the overall composition (L)₂·(H₃O⁺·χH₂O)₂·UO₂Cl₄²⁻ (L = dicyclohexano-24-crown-8). The values of the extraction equilibrium constants (K_ex) increase steadily with a decrease in temperature: 13.5 (298 K), 7.96 (301 K), 4.20 (303 K) and 2.07 (305 K). A plot of log K_ex against 1/T shows a straight line. The value of the enthalpy change, ΔH°, was calculated from the slope and equals −212 kJ mol⁻¹. The value of the entropy change, ΔS°, was calculated from ΔH° and K_ex and equals −690 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, whereas ΔG° = −6.45 kJ mol⁻¹. Comparing these thermodynamic parameters with those of the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A [1] (ΔS° = −314 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, ΔH° = −101 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔG° = −8.37 kJ mol⁻¹), it can be seen that ΔH° and ΔS° are more negative for the former than for the latter, and both are enthalpy-stabilized complexes. The molecular structure of the complex has the feature that there are two H₅O₂⁺ ions in it, in contrast to the H₃O⁺ ions in the dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 isomer A complex [1]. Each of the H₅O₂⁺ ions is held in the crown ether cavity by four hydrogen bonds. The H₅O₂⁺ ion has a central bond. The uranium atom forms UO₂Cl₄²⁻ as a counterion away from the crown ether. The formation of this complex is in good agreement with more negative entropy change and less negative free energy change, as mentioned above.     

Sugar interaction with uranium ion. Synthesis,spectroscopic and stmctural analysis of UO2-sugar complexes containing D-glucuronate moiety

Interaction between D-glucuronic acid and hydrated uranyl salts has been studied in aqueous solution and solid complexes of the type UO₂(D- glucuronate)X·2H₂0 and UO₂(D-glucuronate)₂·2H₂O, where X = CI⁻, Br⁻ or NO₃⁻, are isolated and characterized by means of FT-IR and proton-NMR spectroscopy.On comparison with the structurally identified Ca(D-glucuronate)Br·3H₂O compound, it is concluded that the UO₂²⁺ cation binds to two D- glucuronate moieties in uranylsugar complexes via O6, O5 oxygen atoms (ionized carboxyl group) of the first and O6′, 04 (non-ionized carboxyl group) of the second sugar moiety, whereas in the UO₂(D- glucuronate)₂·2H₂O salt the uranyl ion is bonded to two sugar anions through O6, O6′ oxygen atoms of the ionized carboxyl group, resulting in a six- coordination geometry around the uranium ion. The strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding network of the free acid is rearranged upon sugar metalation and the sugar moiety showed β-anomer conformation both in the free acid and in these uranylsugar complexes.     

Volatile compounds of β-diketonates of dioxouranium(VI) with tetrahydropyran and tetrahydrothiophene

Complexes of the type [UO₂(β-diket)₂·nB] where β-diket=CF₃COCHCOR (R=CF₃, CH₃, C₄H₃S or C₆H₅ and denoted by HFAA, TFAA, TTA or BTA, respectively), B=tetrahydropyran (THP) and tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and n= 0.5–2.0, have been synthesized and characterised by infrared, ¹H NMR and mass spectral techniques. Vapour pressure of UO₂(HFAA)₂·THP was measured by the transpiration method between the temperature range of 323–391 K. The enthalpy of vaporisation of UO₂(HFAA)₂·THP was estimated to be 18.4 kcal/mol.     

The chemistry of uranium dispersion in groundwaters at the Pinhal do Souto Mine,Portugal

Solution studies of H-autunite, H₂(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂, and its K⁺, Na⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ analogues, have been carried out and solution stability constants determined. These values are in excellent agreement with those recently reported by other workers at 298.2 K and ionic strength equal to zero. separate field study involving groundwaters collected from the oxidized zone of the Pinhal do Souto mine, Portugal, has been undertaken. Here the principal uranium minerals are autunite, Ca(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·nH₂O and torbernite Cu(UO₂)₂(PO₄)₂·nH₂O. Detailed analyses of and calculations of species distributions in these samples indicate that currently circulating groundwaters are undersaturated with respect to these two minerals by two to four orders of magnitude. The mineralogical and geochemical significance of these results is discussed.     

Uranyl mixed-ligand complex formation in artificial seawater

Abstract

The stability constants of the mixed uranyl-hydroxo-peroxo-carbonato species have been calculated. By incorporating those and including stability constants and corresponding equilibria into the developed model of seawater species distribution enables the dependence of uranyl species on pH to be evaluated. The calculations show that at seawater conditions (pH = 8), 88.3% of total uranyl-ion is in the form UO₂(CO₃)^4-, 11% is in the form UO₂(CO₃)₂(OH)^3-, and 0.5% in the UO₂(CO₃)(OH)₂^2- mixed-ligand complex form, while in the photic layer, 81.2% of uranyl-ion is in the tricarbonate complex, 10.1% in the form UO₂(CO₃)₂(OH₂)^3-, 7% as UO₂(CO₃)₂(OH)^3-, 0.5% as UO₂(CO₃)(OH)₂^4- and 0.5% as UO₂(O₂)₂^2- species.     

Predicting the disruption by of a protein-ligand interaction

The uranyl cation (UO₂²⁺) can be suspected to interfere with the binding of essential metal cations to proteins, underlying some mechanisms of toxicity. A dedicated computational screen was used to identify UO₂²⁺ binding sites within a set of nonredundant protein structures. The list of potential targets was compared to data from a small molecules interaction database to pinpoint specific examples where UO₂²⁺ should be able to bind in the vicinity of an essential cation, and would be likely to affect the function of the corresponding protein. The C‐reactive protein appeared as an interesting hit since its structure involves critical calcium ions in the binding of phosphorylcholine. Biochemical experiments confirmed the predicted binding site for UO₂²⁺ and it was demonstrated by surface plasmon resonance assays that UO₂²⁺ binding to CRP prevents the calcium‐mediated binding of phosphorylcholine. Strikingly, the apparent affinity of UO₂²⁺ for native CRP was almost 100‐fold higher than that of Ca²⁺. This result exemplifies in the case of CRP the capability of our computational tool to predict effective binding sites for UO₂²⁺ in proteins and is a first evidence of calcium substitution by the uranyl cation in a native protein.     

Relativistic theoretical studies on hydrogen bonds and the electronic structure of aqueous solvated bis(uranyl) complex: an insight into explicit and/or implicit solvent effects

To understand the chemical behavior of uranyl complexes in water, a bis-uranyl [(phen)(UO₂)(μ₂–F)(F)]₂ (A; phen?=?phenanthroline, μ₂?=?doubly bridged) and its hydrated form A?·?(H₂O)_n (n?=?2, 4 and 6) were examined using scalar relativistic density functional theory. The addition of water caused the phen ligands to deviate slightly from the U₂(μ₂–F)₂ plane, and red-shifts the U–F-terminal and U?=?O stretching vibrations. Four types of hydrogen bonds are present in the optimized hydrated A?·?(H₂O)_n complexes; their energies were calculated to fall within the range 4.37–6.77 kcal mol^-1, comparable to the typical values of 5.0 kcal mol^-1 reported for hydrogen bonds. An aqueous environment simulated by explicit and/or implicit models lowers and re-arranges the orbitals of the bis-uranyl complex.

Studies of alveolar cell morphometry and mass clearance in the rat lung following inhalation of an enriched uranium dioxide aerosol

Summary Seventy-three rats were exposed to an aerosol of enriched uranium dioxide (UO₂), giving initial lung burdens of 26 to 447 µg at 6 days post-inhalation (PI). At 7 days PI 35 of these rats were further exposed to thermalised neutrons at a fluence of 1 x 10¹² neutrons CM^–2. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the clearance rate of the UO₂ particles from the lung, up to 590 days PI. The particles cleared relatively slowly over this period with a retention halftime in the lung of 160 to 176 days.Transmission electron microscope (TEM) studies of tissue from the alveolar region at 8 days PI showed that inhalation of UO₂ particles significantly increased the sizes of macrophage and type II cells, and the number of macrophage and type I cells. There was also a significant increase in the size of lysosomal granules within the macrophages after exposure to the UO₂ particles. The exposure to UO₂, neutrons and²³⁵U fission fragments had no significant effect on any of the cells above that observed in the animals exposed to UO₂ alone.Additional rats were exposed to the same neutron fluence without prior UO₂ inhalation. The alveolar cells of neutron-only exposed rats were, in size and number, typically no different from those in the completely unexposed control rats.     

Electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation of uranium-contaminated soil using sunflower and Indian mustard

Abstract

Electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation is an effective technology to decontaminate heavy metal contaminated soil. In this study, we examined the effects of electrokinetic treatments on plant uptake and bioaccumulation of U from soils with various U sources. Redistribution of uranium in soils as affected by planting and electrokinetic treatments was investigated. The soil was spiked with 100?mg kg^–1 UO₂, UO₃, and UO₂(NO₃)₂. After sunflower and Indian mustard grew for 60 days, 1 voltage of direct-current was applied across the soils for 9 days. The results indicated that U uptake in both plants were significantly enhanced by electrokinetic treatments from soil with UO₃ and UO₂(NO₃)₂. U was more accumulated in roots than in shoots. Electrokinetic treatments were effective on lowering soil pH near the anode region. Overall, uranium (U) removal efficiency reached 3.4–4.3% from soils with UO₃ and uranyl with both plants while that from soil with UO₂ was 0.7–0.8%. Electrokinetic remediation treatment significantly enhanced the U removal efficiency (5–6%) from soils with UO₃ and uranyl but it was 0.8–1.3% from soil with UO₂, indicating significant effects of U species and electrokinetic enhancement on U bioaccumulation. This study implies the potential feasibility of electrokinetic-enhanced phytoremediation of U soils with sunflower and Indian mustard.     

D-glucose interaction with uranium ion. Synthesis,spectroscopic and structural characterization of uranylglucose adducts and the effect of metal cation binding on the sugar anomeric structures

The interaction of D-glucose with hydrated uranyl salts has been investigated in solution and solid adducts of the type UO₂(D-glucose)X₂·2H₂O, where X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, NO_3⁻ and 0.5 SO_4²⁻ have been isolated. These adducts are characterized by means of FT-IR, ¹H NMR and molar conductivity measurements.Spectroscopic evidence suggested that UO_2²⁺ cation could be bonded to one D-glucose molecule (possibly through O(1)H and O(2)H hydroxyl groups) and to two H₂O, resulting in six-coordination around the uranium ion.The strong sugar H-bonding network is perturbed, on metal ion interaction and the D-glucose α-anomeric structure is favoured, upon uranyl cation coordination.     

Dioxouranium(VI) thiocyanate complexes of schiff bases of p-nitro,chloro, bromo,hydroxy and methoxy aniline and salicylaldehyde

A series of dioxouranium(VI) complexes was synthesised with some Schiff base ligands containing substituent groups at para positions to CHN groups. These molecules were obtained by the condensation of para-nitro, chloro, bromo, hydroxy, methyl and methoxy aniline with salicylaldehyde. The bidentate ligands formed complexes of the type UO₂(NCS)₂ (X-N-Sal)_n·mH₂O, where n = 2, m = 3, x = NO₂, Cl, Br and OH; n = 3, m = 2, x = CH₃ and OCH₃.Conductivity measurements indicate that all the complexes are non-electrolytes in nitromethane solution, whereas in DMF they correspond to 1:1 electrolytes.IR spectral data suggest that the molecules and not the anions of the Schiff base are coordinated to the central uranium atom. IR and Raman spectra suggest that the complexes UO₂(NCS)₂(X-N-Sal)₂· 3H₂O (X = NO₂, Cl, Br) have C_2h molecular symmetry, whereas UO₂(NCS)₂(X-N-Sal)₃·2H₂O (X = OCH₃, CH₃) have C_2v symmetry.The frequencies of UO_2(asym) (IR) and UO_2(sym) (R) in the complexes seem to vary with the various substituents of the Schiff base ligand, in the order:NO₂ > Cl > Br > OH > CH₃ > OCH₃     

Impact of uranium (U) on the cellular glutathione pool and resultant consequences for the redox status of U

Uranium (U) as a redox-active heavy metal can cause various redox imbalances in plant cells. Measurements of the cellular glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) by HPLC after cellular U contact revealed an interference with this essential redox couple. The GSH content remained unaffected by 10 μM U whereas the GSSG level immediately increased. In contrast, higher U concentrations (50 μM) drastically raised both forms. Using the Nernst equation, it was possible to calculate the half-cell reduction potential of 2GSH/GSSG. In case of lower U contents the cellular redox environment shifted towards more oxidizing conditions whereas the opposite effect was obtained by higher U contents. This indicates that U contact causes a consumption of reduced redox equivalents. Artificial depletion of GSH by chlorodinitrobenzene and measuring the cellular reducing capacity by tetrazolium salt reduction underlined the strong requirement of reduced redox equivalents. An additional element of cellular U detoxification mechanisms is the complex formation between the heavy metal and carboxylic functionalities of GSH. Because two GSH molecules catalyze electron transfers each with one electron forming a dimer (GSSG) two UO₂ ²⁺ are reduced to each UO₂ ⁺ by unbound redox sensitive sulfhydryl moieties. UO₂ ⁺ subsequently disproportionates to UO₂ ²⁺ and U⁴⁺. This explains that in vitro experiments revealed a reduction to U(IV) of only around 33% of initial U(VI). Cellular U(IV) was transiently detected with the highest level after 2 h of U contact. Hence, it can be proposed that these reducing processes are an important element of defense reactions induced by this heavy metal.     

Actions of some cations on the electrical properties and mechanical threshold of frog sartorius muscle fibers

With the use of a point voltage-clamp technique, the effects of Zn²⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, tetraethylammonium, and several other homologous quaternary ammonium ions on the electrical properties of the frog sartorius muscle and its mechanical threshold were studied. None of the agents separated the voltage thresholds for mechanical activation and delayed rectification. However, Zn²⁺, UO₂ ²⁺, and TEA, which are known to potentiate the twitch, caused some inhibition of the normal increase in potassium conductance during delayed rectification. Zn²⁺ and UO₂ ²⁺ also slowed the rate of development of the outward current. A strength-duration relation was studied for depolarization pulses capable of initiating contraction. With a depolarizing pulse of 2.5 msec the mechanical threshold is about -13 mv at about 20°C. UO₂ ²⁺, 0.5 µM, which markedly reduced the outward current produced by such a short pulse, did not raise the mechanical threshold. All findings indicate that there is no direct causal relation between delayed rectification and mechanical activation.     

Dioxouranium(VI) complexes with 2,6-acetylpyridinebenzoylhydrazones and -semicarbazones

Benzoylhydrazones and semicarbazones derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine react with common dioxouranium(VI) compounds such as uranyl nitrate or [NBu₄]₂[UO₂Cl₄] to form air-stable complexes. 2,6-Diacetylpyridinebis(benzoylhydrazone) (H₂L¹), 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(N4-phenylsemicarbazone) (H₂L²) and the asymmetric proligand 2,6-diacetylpyridine(benzoylhydrazone)(N4-phenylsemicarbazone) (H₂L³) give yellow products of the composition [UO₂(L)]. The neutral compounds contain doubly deprotonated ligands and possess uranium atoms with distorted pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination spheres. The equatorial coordination spheres of the metal atoms can be extended by the addition of a monodentate ligand such as pyridine or DMSO. The uranium atoms in the resulting complexes have hexagonal-bipyramidal coordination environments with the oxo ligands in axial positions.X-ray diffraction studies on [UO₂(L¹)(DMSO)], [UO₂(L²)], [UO₂(L²)(DMSO)] and [UO₂(L³)] show relatively short U-O bonds to the benzoylic oxygen atoms between 2.273(6) and 2.368(5) Å. This suggests a preference of these donor sites of the ligands over their imino and amine functionalities (U-N bond lengths: 2.502(7)-2.671(7) Å). The addition of a sixth ligand to the equatorial coordination sphere results in a lengthening of the metal-pyridine bonds.     

Synthesis, structure and optic properties of 2-methylimidazolium and 2-phenylimidazolium uranyl acetates

Two new salts based on heterocyclic organic cations and uranyl triacetate anion were obtained via reaction of zinc uranyl acetate with 2-substituted imidazoles in presence of an excess of acetic acid. Uranyl triacetate anion in [2-MeImH]⁺ [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ and [2-PhImH]⁺ [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ H₂O has an expected bipyramidal structure with linear uranyl group and three acetate groups laying in equatorial plane. [2-MeImH]⁺ [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ structure analysis reveals H-bonded 1D chains connected through N-H···O hydrogen bonds. 2-phenylimidazolium in [2-PhImH]⁺ [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ H₂O demonstrate planar geometry without any rotation of its rings, which was not registered before. H-bonds and π-π interactions of phenyl groups in this system lead to complicate 2D “sandwich” layer formation. The main features of IR- and luminescence spectrum of both compounds are also discussed.     

The direct electrochemical synthesis of neutral and anionic halogen complexes of uranium(IV) and uranium(VI)

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic uranium into acetonitrile solutions of X₂ (X = Cl, Br) under nitrogen gives rise to UCl₄·4CH₃CN or UBr₄·2CH₃CN in good yield. These compounds are easily converted to other UX₄ adducts. In the presence of oxygen, solutions of UO₂X₂ are produced by the electrolysis, and the parent halide, or neutral addition compounds, are readily obtained from these. Addition of R₄NX to the cell results in the direct synthesis of (R₄N)₂UX₆ under nitrogen, or (R₄N)₂UO₂X₄ under oxygen. The only iodo compound which could be formed by electrolysis into N,N- dimethylformamide (=dmf) was UI₄·4dmf.