Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of 2-dimethylacetal-4-chloro-6-formylphenol and aquabis(2-dimethylacetal-4-chloro-6-formylphenolato)dioxouranium(VI)

The ligand 2-dimethylacetal-4-chloro-6-formylphenol, H(ALAC), prepared by boiling 2,6-diformyl-4-chlorophenol, H(DIAL), in methanol, was reacted with uranyl acetate to obtain the complex [UO₂(ALAC)₂(H₂O)]. The ligand and the uranyl complex were characterized by X-ray crystallography, infrared, ¹H NMR and electronic spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric and mass spectrometry data are also reported. In acid media H(ALAC) transforms easily into H(DIAL). H(ALAC) is monoclinic, P2₁/n, with a=13.951(5), b=7.902(5), c=9.465(5) Å, β= 91.33(3)°. The structure was refined to R=3.9%, based on 1657 observed reflexions. [UO₂(ALAC)₂(H₂O)] is tetragonal, P4₃2₁2, with a=11.147(5) and c=19.150(4) Å. The structure was refined to R=4.0%, based on 2938 observed reflexions. Four ligand oxygens and one water molecule are equatorially bonded to the uranyl group in this compound. Uranium and water oxygen lie in special positions on a crystallographic twofold axis so that the two halves of this molecule are symmetrically related. Selected bond distances for [UO₂(ALAC)₂(H₂O)] are: UO (charged) 2.28(2) Å, UO (neutral) 2.45(2) Å, UO (uranyl) 1.77(2) Å, UO (water) 2.44(4) Å.