Actinide Coordination Research Articles

Coordination structures and stabilities of Am(III) adsorption complexes at kaolinite(0 0 1)-water interface

Understanding the structures and stabilities of actinide species is crucial for comprehending the sorption mechanisms at mineral–water interfaces. However, the relevant molecular-level fundamental aspects of actinide coordination chemistry at the mineral–water interface remain unclear. We herein conduct a systematic theoretical study of coordination structures and adsorption energies of Am3+ and Am(OH)2+ sorption complexes at the kaolinite(001)-water interface by integrating static density functional theory (DFT) calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations. Computational results show that stable outer- and inner-sphere adsorption complexes are respectively formed through hydrogen bonding and coordinate bonding with surface aluminol groups. The most stable inner-sphere species are predicted to be tridentate surface complexes with an eight-folded coordination structure in the first coordination sphere of Am(III). This work deepens the understanding of Am(III) adsorption and complexation behaviors at the mineral–water interface, providing essential insights for actinide migration in natural environments and nuclear waste disposal. The synergy between static DFT calculations for initial screening and AIMD simulations for comprehensive dynamic analysis in this work enhances the efficiency and accuracy of theoretical predictions for actinide environmental chemistry and can be helpful for the broader research fields of geochemistry and environmental science.

Amine-Terminated Phenanthroline Diimides as Aqueous Masking Agents for Am(III)/Eu(III) Separation: An Alternative Ligand Design Strategy for Water-Soluble Lanthanide/Actinide Chelating Ligands.

Selective actinide coordination (from lanthanides) is critical for both nuclear waste management and sustainable development of nuclear power. Hydrophilic ligands used as masking agents to withhold actinides in the aqueous phase are currently highly pursued, while synthetic accessibility, water solubility, acid resistance, and extraction capability are the remaining problems. Most reported hydrophilic ligands are only effective at low acidity. We recently proved that the phenanthroline diimide skeleton was an efficient building block for the construction of highly efficient acid-resistant hydrophilic lanthanide/actinide separation agents, while the limited water solubility hindered the loading capability of the ligand. Herein, amine was introduced as the terminal solubilizing group onto the phenanthroline diimide backbone, which after protonation in acid showed high water solubility. The positively charged terminal amines enhanced the ligand water solubility to a large extent, which, on the other side, was believed to be detrimental for the coordination and complexation of the metal cations. We showed that by delicately adjusting the alkyl chain spacing, this intuitive disadvantage could be relieved and superior extraction performances could be achieved. This work holds significance for both hydrophilic lanthanide/actinide separation ligand design and, concurrently, offers insights into the development of water-soluble lanthanide/actinide complexes for biomedical and bioimaging applications.

Polyoxometalate Ligands Reveal Different Coordination Chemistries Among Lanthanides and Heavy Actinides.

Experimental studies involving actinide compounds are inherently limited in scope due to the radioactive nature of these elements and the scarcity and cost of their research isotopes. Now, ∼80 years after the introduction of the actinide concept by Glenn Seaborg, we still only have a limited understanding of the coordination chemistry of f-block metals when compared to more common elements such as the s-, p-, and d-blocks. This is particularly true for transplutonium actinides (Am, Cm, Bk, etc.) whose chemistry is often considered similar to trivalent lanthanides-mainly because of the lack of experimental data. We here report a metal-ligand system for which lanthanide and heavy actinide coordination compounds can be synthesized efficiently (i.e., requiring only a few micrograms) under identical conditions. Seventeen single crystal XRD structures of trivalent f-elements complexed to the polyoxometalate (POM) PW11O39 7- were obtained, including the full lanthanide series (Cs11Ln(PW11O39)2·nH2O, Ln = La to Lu, except Pm), the equivalent yttrium compound, a curium-POM compound (α2-Cs11Cm(PW11O39)2·33H2O), and the first two Am3+-POM compounds structurally characterized (α1-Cs11Am(PW11O39)2·6H2O and α2-Cs11Am(PW11O39)2·21H2O). Importantly, this represents a unique series of compounds built on the same 1:2 metal:ligand unit and where all the f-elements are 8-coordinated and squared antiprismatic, thus providing a consistent platform for intra- and inter-series comparison. Despite a similar first coordination sphere environment, significant crystallographic and spectroscopic differences were observed among early and late lanthanides, as well as lanthanides and actinides, and even between americium and curium. These results show that even within the same coordination chemistry framework, 4f and 5f elements exhibit fundamental chemical differences that cannot be explained by simple size-match arguments. This study offers a versatile coordination platform to magnify differences within the f-block that have remained difficult to observe with traditional ligand systems.

Ultrafiltration separation of Am(VI)-polyoxometalate from lanthanides

Partitioning of americium from lanthanides (Ln) present in used nuclear fuel plays a key role in the sustainable development of nuclear energy1–3. This task is extremely challenging because thermodynamically stable Am(III) and Ln(III) ions have nearly identical ionic radii and coordination chemistry. Oxidization of Am(III) to Am(VI) produces AmO22+ ions distinct with Ln(III) ions, which has the potential to facilitate separations in principle. However, the rapid reduction of Am(VI) back to Am(III) by radiolysis products and organic reagents required for the traditional separation protocols including solvent and solid extractions hampers practical redox-based separations. Herein, we report a nanoscale polyoxometalate (POM) cluster with a vacancy site compatible with the selective coordination of hexavalent actinides (238U, 237Np, 242Pu and 243Am) over trivalent lanthanides in nitric acid media. To our knowledge, this cluster is the most stable Am(VI) species in aqueous media observed so far. Ultrafiltration-based separation of nanoscale Am(VI)-POM clusters from hydrated lanthanide ions by commercially available, fine-pored membranes enables the development of a once-through americium/lanthanide separation strategy that is highly efficient and rapid, does not involve any organic components and requires minimal energy input.

Hierarchical assembly of uranyl metallacycles involving macrocyclic hosts

Actinide metallacycles are an emerging class of functional coordination assemblies, but multi-level assembly from metallacycle units toward hierarchical supramolecular structures are still rarely investigated. In this work, we put forward a novel supramolecular inclusion-based method through introducing two macrocyclic hosts, cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) to facilitate hierarchical assembly of uranyl metallacycles with higher complexity, and successfully prepare two different kinds of uranyl metallacycle-based complexes with intriguing hierarchical structures, a CB[7]-based four-member molecular necklace ([4]MN) and a CB[8]-involved ring-in-ring supramolecular polymer chain. The results obtained here prove the feasibility of supramolecular inclusion for regulating coordination assembly of uranyl metallacycles and related hierarchical structures. It is believed that this method can be used to achieve the construction of actinide coordination assemblies with higher structural complexity.

Macromolecular crystallography for f-element complex characterization.

Single crystal X-ray diffraction is a technique that measures interatomic distances with atomic resolution. Utilizing this technique for metal complexes featuring lanthanide and actinide elements is complicated by the scarcity and radioactivity of many of the metals of the f-block, as sub-milligram samples are difficult to crystallize for small molecule X-ray diffraction experiments. In this chapter, we present a protocol developed in our group that circumvents these challenges by exploiting macromolecular crystallography, wherein a protein with a large and well-characterized binding calyx is used as a scaffold to crystallize small-molecule metal complexes. Highlighting several examples, we identify the structural and chemical information that can be acquired by this method, and delineate the benefits of directing crystal growth with proteins, such as decreasing the amount of metal used to the sub-microgram scale. Moreover, since protein recognition depends on the nature of the metal-chelator bonds, subtle effects in the lanthanide and actinide coordination chemistry, such as metal-ligand covalency, can be qualitatively assessed.

Coordination of Actinide Single Ions to Deformed Graphdiyne: Strategy on Essential Separation Processes in Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The coordination of actinides and lanthanides, as well as strontium and cesium with graphdiyne (GDY) was studied experimentally and theoretically. On the basis of experimental results and/or theoretical calculations, it was suggested that Th4+ , Pu4+ , Am3+ , Cm3+ , and Cs+ exist in single-ion states on the special triangular structure of GDY with various coordination patterns, wherein GDY itself is deformed in different ways. Both experiment and theoretical calculations strongly indicate that UO2 2+ , La3+ , Eu3+ , Tm3+ and Sr2+ are not adsorbed by GDY at all. The distinguished adsorption behaviors of GDY afford an important strategy for highly selective separation of actinides and lanthanides, Th4+ and UO2 2+ , and Cs+ and Sr2+ , in the nuclear fuel cycle. Also, the present work sheds light on an approach to explore the unique functions and physicochemical properties of actinides in single-ion states.

Coordination of Actinide Single Ions to Deformed Graphdiyne: Strategy on Essential Separation Processes in Nuclear Fuel Cycle

AbstractThe coordination of actinides and lanthanides, as well as strontium and cesium with graphdiyne (GDY) was studied experimentally and theoretically. On the basis of experimental results and/or theoretical calculations, it was suggested that Th4+, Pu4+, Am3+, Cm3+, and Cs+ exist in single‐ion states on the special triangular structure of GDY with various coordination patterns, wherein GDY itself is deformed in different ways. Both experiment and theoretical calculations strongly indicate that UO22+, La3+, Eu3+, Tm3+ and Sr2+ are not adsorbed by GDY at all. The distinguished adsorption behaviors of GDY afford an important strategy for highly selective separation of actinides and lanthanides, Th4+ and UO22+, and Cs+ and Sr2+, in the nuclear fuel cycle. Also, the present work sheds light on an approach to explore the unique functions and physicochemical properties of actinides in single‐ion states.

Uranyl Oxo Silylation Promoted by Silsesquioxane Coordination.

The reaction of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] with 1 equiv of Cy7Si7O9(OH)3 in THF affords [U(OSiMe3)3(Cy7Si7O12)] (1) as orange plates in 24% isolated yield. Its X-ray crystal structure reveals three silylated Oyl ligands, confirming the unprecedented conversion of the uranyl ion to a U(VI) silyloxide. We propose that the formation of 1 proceeds through a transient uranyl silsesquioxide intermediate, [{Cy7Si7O11(OH)}UO2], which undergoes rapid oxo silylation by HN(SiMe3)2, followed by silyloxy ligand scrambling, to form 1 and the U(VI) bis(silsesquioxane) complex, [U(Cy7Si7O12)2] (3), among other products. The formation of 3 was confirmed by its independent synthesis and comparison of its 29Si{1H} NMR spectrum with that of the in situ reaction mixture. In contrast to the reaction in THF, the reaction of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] with Cy7Si7O9(OH)3 in hexanes, followed by recrystallization from Et2O/MeCN, results in the formation of the uranyl cluster, [(UO2)3(Cy7Si7O12)2(Et2O)(MeCN)2] (2), as yellow rods in 42% isolated yield. Complex 2 features two Oyl···U dative interactions, but in contrast to 1, none of its three uranyl fragments are silylated. Overall, the conversion of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] to 1 and 3 is likely promoted by the strong electron donor ability of the silsesquioxane ligand and suggests that the actinide coordination chemistry of mineral surface mimics, such as silsesquioxane, is a fruitful arena for the discovery of new reactivity.

Structural Diversity of Bipyridinium-Based Uranyl Coordination Polymers: Synthesis, Characterization, and Ion-Exchange Application.

As well-known functional groups with excellent electro/photochromic and ion-exchange properties, bipyridinium motifs have been used in functionalized metal-organic coordination polymers, but they are still rarely applied to construct actinide coordination polymers. In this work, we utilized a bipyridinium-based carboxylic acid, 1,1'-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium bis(chloride) ([H2bcbp]Cl2), as the organic ligand to assemble with uranyl cations. By the introduction of different kinds of auxiliary ligands and adjustment of the pH, five novel uranyl coordination compounds, 1-5, have been synthesized through hydrothermal reactions. Starting from uranyl ions and terephthalic acid (H2TP) and H2bcbp ligands, [(UO2)2(bcbp)(TP)2]·3H2O (1) has a wave-shaped two-dimensional (2D) structure consisting of dinuclear units connected by terephthalate linkers and further supported by the longer H2bcbp ligands. [(UO2)2(bcbp)(PA)2]·4H2O (2) has a zigzag chain of dimeric uranium units, and [(UO2)2(bcbp)(bpdc)2]·5H2O (3) forms a one-dimensional ribbonlike structure. The 2D structures of [(UO2)(bcbp)(OH)(H2O)]·Cl (4) and [(UO2)(bcbp)Cl]·Cl (5) are similar, both of which are constructed from dinuclear uranyl units and bcbp2- ligands. Furthermore, the performance for perrhenate removal of compound 4 with a cationic framework is assessed, and we found that compound 4 can efficiently remove ReO4- from an aqueous solution in a wide range of pH values. This work extends the library of viologen derivative-based uranyl coordination polymers, provides to some extent broader insights into actinide coordination chemistry of functionalized ligands, and may facilitate the ion-exchange applications of related coordination polymers.

Organic Compounds of Actinyls: Systematic Computational Assessment of Structural and Topological Properties in [AnO2(C2O4) n](2 n-2)- (An = U, Np, Pu, Am; n = 1-3) Complexes.

Exploring the bonding features between organics and actinide elements is a fundamental topic in nuclear waste separation. In this work, [AnO2(C2O4) n](2 n-2)- (An = U, Np, Pu, and Am; n = 1-3) complexes have been characterized by density functional theory. The actinyl oxalate complexes are found to exhibit the typical An-Oyl, An-Oeq bonds and Oyl-An-Oyl angles. Interatomic interaction analyzed by electron density difference, charge decomposition analysis, charges population, bond order, electron localization function, and quantum theory of atom in molecules indicates that An-Oeq bonds are ionic (closed-shell) bonding interaction with a small degree of covalent character. The similarities and differences between isomers have been discussed in the actinide coordination chemistry, and the orbital interactions also have been investigated through total, partial, and overlap population density of state diagrams. Besides, the electrostatic potential was used to predict the adsorption sites on the molecular vdW surface.

Influence of a Pre-organized N-Donor Group on the Coordination of Trivalent Actinides and Lanthanides by an Aminopolycarboxylate Complexant.

The thermodynamic influence of a pre-organized N-donor group on the coordination of trivalent actinides and lanthanides by an aqueous aminopolycarboxylate complexant has been investigated. The synthesized reagent, N-2-methylpicolinate-ethylenediamine-N,N',N'-triacetic acid (EDTA-Mpic), resembles ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) with a single acetate pendant arm replaced by a 6-carboxypyridin-2-ylmethyl group. The rigid N-donor picolinate functionality has a profound impact on ligand protonation and trivalent f element complexation equilibria, as demonstrated by potentiometric, spectroscopic, and liquid/liquid metal-partitioning studies as well as by molecular dynamics calculations. Relative to diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N'',N''-pentaacetic acid (DTPA), the ability to preferentially bind trivalent actinides over trivalent lanthanides was moderately lowered due to the presence of the N-(6-carboxypyridin-2-ylmethyl) substituent. The structural modification substantially amplifies the total ligand acidity of EDTA-Mpic. As a result the complexant sustains the metal complexation and efficient An3+ /Ln3+ differentiation in aqueous mixtures of unprecedented acidity for this class of reagents.

Periodic Trends in Actinyl Thio-Crown Ether Complexes.

In-cavity complexes and their bonding features between thio-crown (TC) ethers and f-elements are unexplored so far. In this paper, actinyl(VI) (An = U, Np, Pu, Am, and Cm) complexes of TC ethers have been characterized using relativistic density functional theory. The TC ether ligands include tetrathio-12-crown-4 (12TC4), pentathio-15-crown-5 (15TC5), and hexathio-18-crown-6 (18TC6). On the basis of the calculations, it is found that the "double-decker" sandwich structure of AnO2(12TC4)22+ and "side-on" structure AnO2(12TC4)2+ are changed to "insertion" structures for AnO2(15TC5)2+ and AnO2(18TC6)2+ due to increased size of the TC ether ligands. The actinyl monocyclic TC ether complexes are found to exhibit conventional conformations, with typical An-Oactinyl and An-Sligand distances and angles. Chemical bonding analyses by Weinhold's natural population analysis (NPA), natural localized molecular orbital (NLMO), and energy decomposed analysis (EDA), show that a typical ionic An-Sligand bond with the extent of covalent interaction between the An and S atoms primarily attributable to the degree of radial distribution of the S 3p atomic orbitals. The similarity and difference of the oxo-crown and TC ethers as ligands for actinide coordination chemistry are discussed. As soft S-donor ligands, TC ethers may be candidate ligands for actinide recognition and extraction.

Influence of a Heterocyclic Nitrogen-Donor Group on the Coordination of Trivalent Actinides and Lanthanides by Aminopolycarboxylate Complexants

The novel metal chelator N-2-(pyridylmethyl)diethylenetriamine-N,N',N″,N″-tetraacetic acid (DTTA-PyM) was designed to replace a single oxygen-donor acetate group of the well-known aminopolycarboxylate complexant diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N″,N″-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) with a nitrogen-donor 2-pyridylmethyl. Potentiometric, spectroscopic, computational, and radioisotope distribution methods show distinct differences for the 4f and 5f coordination environments and enhanced actinide binding due to the nitrogen-bearing heterocyclic moiety. The Am3+, Cm3+, and Ln3+ complexation studies for DTTA-PyM reveal an enhanced preference, relative to DTPA, for trivalent actinide binding. Fluorescence studies indicate no changes to the octadentate coordination of trivalent curium, while evidence of heptadentate complexation of trivalent europium is found in mixtures containing EuHL(aq) complexes at the same aqueous acidity. The denticity change observed for Eu3+ suggests that complex protonation occurs on the pyridyl nitrogen. Formation of the CmHL(aq) complex is likely due to the protonation of an available carboxylate group because the carbonyl oxygen can maintain octadentate coordination through a rotation. The observed suppressed protonation of the pyridyl nitrogen in the curium complexes may be attributed to stronger trivalent actinide binding by DTTA-PyM. Density functional theory calculations indicate that added stabilization of the actinide complexes with DTTA-PyM may originate from π-back-bonding interactions between singly occupied 5f orbitals of Am3+ and the pyridyl nitrogen. The differences between the stabilities of trivalent actinide chelates (Am3+, Cm3+) and trivalent lanthanide chelates (La3+-Lu3+) are observed in liquid-liquid extraction systems, yielding unprecedented 4f/5f differentiation when using DTTA-PyM as an aqueous holdback reagent. In addition, the enhanced nitrogen-donor softness of the new DTTA-PyM chelator was perturbed by adding a fluorine onto the pyridine group. The comparative characterization of N-(3-fluoro-2-pyridylmethyl)diethylenetriamine-N,N',N″,N″-tetraacetic acid (DTTA-3-F-PyM) showed subdued 4f/5f differentiation due to the presence of this electron-withdrawing group.

Novel Viologen Derivative Based Uranyl Coordination Polymers Featuring Photochromic Behaviors.

A series of novel uranyl coordination polymers have been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions. Both complexes 1 and 2 prosess two ipbp- ligands (H2 ipbpCl=1-(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium chloride), one uranyl cation, and two coordination water molecules, which can further extend to 2D networks through hydrogen bonding. In complex 1, two sets of equivalent nets are entangled together, resulting in a 2D + 2D → 3D polycatenated framework. In complex 2, the neighbouring equivalent nets interpenetrate each other, forming a twofold interpenetrated network. Complexes 3 and 4 are isomers, and both of them are constructed from (UO2 )2 (OH)2 dinuclear units, which are connected with four ipbp- ligands. The 3D structures of complexes 3 and 4 are similar along the b axis. Similar to other viologen-based coordination polymers, complexes 3 and 4 exhibit photochromic and thermochromic properties, which are rarely observed in actinide coordination polymers. Unlike the monotonous coordination mode in complexes 1-4, the ipbp- ligands feature a μ3 -bridge through two kinds of coordination modes in complex 5. Notably, complex 5 presents a unique example in which terminal pyridine nitrogen atom is involved in the coordination.

ChemInform Abstract: Catalytic Organic Transformations Mediated by Actinide Complexes

AbstractReview: 107 refs.

Catalytic Organic Transformations Mediated by Actinide Complexes

This review article presents the development of organoactinides and actinide coordination complexes as catalysts for homogeneous organic transformations. This chapter introduces the basic principles of actinide catalysis and deals with the historic development of actinide complexes in catalytic processes. The application of organoactinides in homogeneous catalysis is exemplified in the hydroelementation reactions, such as the hydroamination, hydrosilylation, hydroalkoxylation and hydrothiolation of alkynes. Additionally, the use of actinide coordination complexes for the catalytic polymerization of α-olefins and the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters is presented. The last part of this review article highlights novel catalytic transformations mediated by actinide compounds and gives an outlook to the further potential of this field.

Actinide-mediated catalytic addition of E-H bonds (E=N, P, S) to carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates.

Unprecedented catalytic reactivity of actinide coordination complexes toward heterocumulenes, such as carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates is reported. The mono(imidazolin-2-iminato) thorium(IV) complex [Th(Im(Dipp) N){N(SiMe3 )2 }3 ] (1) was applied as a precatalyst for the addition of EH (E=N, P, S) bonds to the YCX core (Y=R2 N; X=NR2 , O, S) of carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates. The respective insertion products were obtained in high yields under mild reaction conditions, with complex 1 displaying high tolerance toward functional groups and heteroatoms.

Actinide‐Mediated Catalytic Addition of EH Bonds (E=N, P, S) to Carbodiimides, Isocyanates, and Isothiocyanates

AbstractUnprecedented catalytic reactivity of actinide coordination complexes toward heterocumulenes, such as carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates is reported. The mono(imidazolin‐2‐iminato) thorium(IV) complex [Th(ImDippN){N(SiMe3)2}3] (1) was applied as a precatalyst for the addition of EH (E=N, P, S) bonds to the YCX core (Y=R2N; X=NR2, O, S) of carbodiimides, isocyanates, and isothiocyanates. The respective insertion products were obtained in high yields under mild reaction conditions, with complex 1 displaying high tolerance toward functional groups and heteroatoms.

Mono(imidazolin-2-iminato) actinide complexes: synthesis and application in the catalytic dimerization of aldehydes.

The synthesis of the mono(imidazolin-2-iminato) actinide(IV) complexes [(Im(R)N)An(N{SiMe3)2}3] (3-8) was accomplished by the protonolysis reaction between the respective imidazolin-2-imine (Im(R)NH, R = tBu, Mes, Dipp) and the actinide metallacycles [{(Me3Si)N}2An{κ(2)C,N-CH2SiMe2N(SiMe3)}] (1, An = U; 2, M = Th). The thorium and uranium complexes were obtained in high yields, and their structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The mono(imidazolin-2-iminato) actinide complexes 3-8 display short An-N bonds together with large An-N-C angles, indicating strong electron donation from the imidazolin-2-iminato moiety to the metal, corroborating a substantial π-character to the An-N bond. The reactivity of complexes 3-8 toward benzaldehyde was studied in the catalytic dimerization of aldehydes (Tishchenko reaction), displaying low to moderate catalytic activities for the uranium complexes 3-5 and moderate to high catalytic activities for the thorium analogues 6-8, among which 8 exhibited the highest catalytic activity. In addition, actinide coordination compounds showed unprecedented reactivity toward cyclic and branched aliphatic aldehydes in the catalytic Tishchenko reaction mediated by the thorium complex [(Im(Dipp)N)Th{N(SiMe3)2}3] (8), exhibiting high activity even at room temperature. Moreover, complex 8 was successfully applied in the crossed Tishchenko reaction between an aromatic or polyaromatic and an aliphatic cyclic and branched aldehyde, yielding selectively the asymmetrically substituted ester in high yields (80-100%).