Synthesis, characterization and molecular structure of 1,1′ bis(diphenylphosphino ferrocene)dioxide complex of uranyl nitrate

A 1,1′ bis(diphenylphosphino ferrocene)dioxide complex of uranyl nitrate was synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The structure of the compound shows that the uranium atom is surrounded by eight oxygen atoms in a hexagonal bi-pyramidal geometry. Two oxygen atoms from 1,1′ bis(diphenylphosphino ferrocene)dioxide ligand and four oxygen atoms from the nitrate groups form a planar hexagon. The two uranyl oxygen atoms occupy the axial position. The 1,1′ bis(diphenylphosphino ferrocene)dioxide ligand acts as a bidentate chelating ligand with a bite angle of 71.56(8)° around the uranium(VI) atom, which is much smaller in value compare to any of the previously reported values (90.1°-154.0°) for this ligand.