Structure, Covalency, and Paramagnetism of Homoleptic Actinide and Lanthanide Amidinate Complexes.

Isostructural trivalent lanthanide and actinide amidinates bearing the -bis(isopropyl)benzamidinate (PrBA) ligand [Ln/An(PrBA)] (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Yb, Lu; An = U, Np) have been synthesized and characterized in both solid and solution states. All compounds were examined in the solid state utilizing single crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), revealing a notable deviation in the actinide series with shortened bond lengths compared to the trend in the lanthanide series, suggesting a nonionic contribution to the actinide-ligand bonding. Quantum-chemical bonding analysis further elucidated the nature of these interactions, highlighting increased covalency within the actinide series, as evidenced by higher delocalization indices and greater 5 orbital occupation, except for Th(III) and Pa(III), which demonstrated substantial 6 orbital occupancies.

6-(6-Methyl-1,2,4,5-Tetrazine-3-yl)-2,2'-Bipyridine: A N-Donor Ligand for the Separation of Lanthanides(III) and Actinides(III).

Here, we report the synthesis of the 6-(6-methyl-1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (MTB) ligand that has been developed for lanthanide/actinide separation. A multimethod study of the complexation of MTB with trivalent actinide and lanthanide ions is presented. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements reveal the formation of [Ce(MTB)(NO)], [Pr(MTB)(NO)HO], and [Ln(MTB)(NO)MeCN] (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd).

Comparative Analysis of Mononuclear 1:1 and 2:1 Tetravalent Actinide (U, Th, Np) Complexes: Crystal Structure, Spectroscopy, and Electrochemistry.

Six mononuclear tetravalent actinide complexes (-) have been synthesized using a new Schiff base ligand 2-methoxy-6-(((2-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)propyl)imino)methyl)phenol (). The is treated with tetravalent actinide elements in varied stoichiometries to afford mononuclear 1:1 complexes [MCl-THF] (-) and 2:1 complexes [MCl-] (-) (M = Th ( and ), U ( and ), and Np ( and )). All complexes are characterized using different analytical techniques such as IR, NMR, and absorption spectroscopy as well as crystallography.

Insights into the Electronic Structure of a U(IV) Amido and U(V) Imido Complex.

Reaction of the N-heterocylic carbene ligand PrIm (L ) and lithium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide (TMSA) as a base with UCl resulted in U(IV) and U(V) complexes. Uranium's +V oxidation state in (HL ) [U(V)(TMSI)Cl ] (TMSI=trimethylsilylimido) (2) was confirmed by HERFD-XANES measurements. Solid state characterization by SC-XRD and geometry optimisation of [U(IV)(L ) (TMSA)Cl ] (1) indicated a silylamido ligand mediated inverse trans influence (ITI).

MOFs with 12-Coordinate 5f-Block Metal Centers.

We have constructed an unprecedented MOF platform that accommodates a range of 5f-block metal ions (Th, U, Np, Pu) as the primary building block. The isoreticular actinide metal-organic frameworks (An-MOFs) exhibit periodic trends in the 12-coordinate metal environment, ligand configuration, and resulting ultramicroporosity. It holds potential in distinguishing neighboring tetravalent actinides.

How 5 f Electron Polarisability Drives Covalency and Selectivity in Actinide N-Donor Complexes.

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Moritz Schmidt at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. The image depicts the relative strength of bonds from an actinide to a pyrrole-based ligand in comparison with the salen ligand. Read the full text of the article at 10.

How 5 f Electron Polarisability Drives Covalency and Selectivity in Actinide N-Donor Complexes.

We report a series of isostructural tetravalent actinide (Th, U-Pu) complexes with the N-donor ligand N,N'-ethylene-bis((pyrrole-2-yl)methanimine) (H L, H pyren). Structural data from SC-XRD analysis reveal [An(pyren) ] complexes with different An-N versus An-N bond lengths. Quantum chemical calculations elucidated the bonding situation, including differences in the covalent character of the coordinative bonds.

Uranium Going the Soft Way: Low-Valent Uranium(III) Coordinated to an Arene-Anchored Tris-Thiophenolate Ligand.

The synthesis of a tripodal, S-based ligand, namely the mesitylene-anchored, tris-thiophenolate-functionalized (mes(ArS)) (), and its coordination chemistry with low-valent uranium to form [U((SAr)mes)] () are reported. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals a -symmetric molecular structure. Full characterization of was performed using nuclear magnetic resonance, UV-vis-NIR electronic absorption, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies as well as SQUID magnetometry, thus confirming the U(III) oxidation state.

Investigation of the structure and dynamics of gallium binding to high-affinity peptides elucidated by multi-scale simulation, quantum chemistry, NMR and ITC.

Gallium (as Ga) is a Group IIIa metal and its recovery from wastewaters has become increasingly important for its reuse. The use of peptides for recycling offers a low-cost and environmentally-friendly option but the structural characteristics of peptides likely to bind Ga are largely unknown. Multiple computational methods, coupled with experimental verification via NMR and Isothermal Calorimetry (ITC), were used to establish that Ga binds with high affinity to peptide sequences and to elucidate the structural characteristics that contributed.

Comprehensive Bonding Analysis of Tetravalent f-Element Complexes of the Type [M(salen)].

Key questions for the study of chemical bonding in actinide compounds are the degree of covalency that can be realized in the bonds to different donor atoms and the relative participation of 5f and 6d orbitals. A manifold of theoretical approaches is available to address these questions, but hitherto no comprehensive assessments are available. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of the metal-ligand bond in a series of actinide metal-organic compounds of the [M(salen)] type (M = Ce, Th, Pa, U, Np, Pu) with the Schiff base ,'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine (salen).

Systematic comparison of the structure of homoleptic tetradentate NO-type Schiff base complexes of tetravalent f-elements (M(IV) = Ce, Th, U, Np, and Pu) in solid state and in solution.

A series of tetradentate N2O2-type Schiff base complexes with tetravalent 4f- and 5f-block metals, [M(salpn)2] (H2salpn = N,N'-disalicylidene-1,3-diaminopropane; M = Ce, Th, U, Np, and Pu), were prepared to systematically investigate their solid state structure, and their complexation behaviour in solution with the goal to investigate the subtle differences between 4f- and 5f-elements. X-ray diffraction revealed that all investigated metal cations form [M(salpn)2] complexes. All the complexes show the same ligand arrangement with meridional conformation, amongst which only Ce(iv) exhibits unique behaviour upon crystallisation.

Series of Tetravalent Actinide Amidinates: Structure Determination and Bonding Analysis.

Two series of isostructural tetravalent actinide amidinates [AnX(()-PEBA)] (An = Th, U, Np; X = Cl, N) bearing the chiral (,)-,'-bis(1-phenylethyl)benzamidinate (()-PEBA) ligand have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized in solid and in solution. This study expands the already reported tetravalent neptunium complexes to the lighter actinides thorium and uranium. Furthermore, a rare Ce(IV) amidinate [CeCl(()-PEBA)] was synthesized to compare its properties to those of the analogous tetravalent actinide complexes.

Bonding Trends in Tetravalent Th-Pu Monosalen Complexes.

The synthesis of three complex series of the form [AnCl (salen)(Pyx) ] (H salen=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine; Pyx=pyridine, 4-methylpyridine, 3,5-dimethylpyridine) with tetravalent early actinides (An=Th, U, Np, Pu) is reported with the goal to elucidate the affinity of these heavy elements for small neutral N-donor molecules. Structure determination by single-crystal XRD and characterization of bulk powders with infrared spectroscopy reveals isostructurality within each respective series and the same complex conformation in all reported structures. Although the trend of interatomic distances for An-Cl and An-N (imine nitrogen of salen or pyridyl nitrogen of Pyx) was found to reflect an ionic behavior, the trend of the An-O distances can only be described with additional covalent interactions for all elements heavier than thorium.

Thermodynamic and structural aspects of the aqueous uranium(iv) system - hydrolysis vs. sulfate complexation.

The aquatic species of U(iv) in acidic aqueous solution in the presence of sulfate were studied in the micromolar range by a combined approach of optical spectroscopy (UV/vis and mid-IR), quantum-chemical calculations (QCC), and thermodynamic modelling. The number of species occurring in solution within the pH range 0-2 was assessed by decomposition and fitting of photometric spectra using HypSpec and Geochemist's Workbench software. Single component spectra of U, UOH, USO and U(SO) were obtained and extinction coefficients ε were calculated to be 61.

Complex formation between UO and α-isosaccharinic acid: insights on a molecular level.

Cellulosic materials present as tissue, paper, wood, or filter materials in low and intermediate level waste will degrade under alkaline conditions if water ingresses in a cementitious backfilled repository. The main degradation product is isosaccharinic acid. Complex formation with isosaccharinic acid may adversely affect the retention of radionuclides by the sorption or formation of solid phases.

Thermodynamic and Structural Studies on the Ln(III)/An(III) Malate Complexation.

The complexation of the trivalent lanthanides Nd(III) and Eu(III) and of the actinide Am(III) with malate was studied using a multi-method approach. The combination of structural and thermodynamic studies was required for the interpretation of the stoichiometry and thermodynamic data (log β, Δ H, Δ S, Δ G) of the lanthanide/actinide malate complexes leading to a profound molecular understanding of the system. The structure-sensitive methods vibrational spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy complemented with quantum-mechanical ab initio molecular dynamics calculations revealed a tridentate ring structure of the respective metal complexes.

Uranium(VI) Complexes with a Calix[4]arene-Based 8-Hydroxyquinoline Ligand: Thermodynamic and Structural Characterization Based on Calorimetry, Spectroscopy, and Liquid-Liquid Extraction.

The environmental aspects of ore processing and waste treatment call for an optimization of applied technologies. There, understanding of the structure and complexation mechanism on a molecular scale is indispensable. Here, the complexation of U with a calix[4]arene-based 8-hydroxyquinoline ligand was investigated by applying a wide range of complementary methods.

[UO Cl (phen) ], a Simple Uranium(VI) Compound with a Significantly Bent Uranyl Unit (phen=1,10-phenanthroline).

A simple synthesis based on UO Cl ⋅n H O and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) resulted in the formation of a new uranyl(VI) complex [UO Cl (phen) ] (1), revealing a unique dodecadeltahedron coordination geometry around the uranium center with significant bending of the robust linear arrangement of the uranyl (O-U-O) unit. Quantum chemical calculations on complex 1 indicated that the weak but distinct interactions between the uranyl oxygens and the adjacent hydrogens of phen molecules play an important role in forming the dodecadeltahedron geometry that fits to the crystal structure of 1, resulting in the bending the uranyl unit. The uranyl oxygens in 1 are anticipated to be activated as compared with those in other linear uranyl(VI) compounds.

Speciation Studies of Metals in Trace Concentrations: The Mononuclear Uranyl(VI) Hydroxo Complexes.

A direct luminescence spectroscopic experimental setup for the determination of complex stability constants of mononuclear uranyl(VI) hydrolysis species is presented. The occurrence of polynuclear species is prevented by using a low uranyl(VI) concentration of 10–8 M (2.4 ppb).

Unwilling U-U bonding in U2@C80: cage-driven metal-metal bonds in di-uranium fullerenes.

Endohedral actinide fullerenes are rare and a little is known about their molecular properties. Here we characterize the U2@C80 system, which was recently detected experimentally by means of mass spectrometry (Akiyama et al., JACS, 2001, 123, 181).

Gold(III)-catalyzed enynamine-cyclopentadiene cycloisomerization with chirality transfer: an experimental and theoretical study indicating involvement of dual Au(III) push-pull assisted cis-trans isomerism.

A synthetic approach for asymmetric ring-fused cyclopentadienes (Cps) with a chiral carbon at the ring junction has been established from chiral enynamines by achiral Au(III) catalysis. On the basis of experimental and theoretical data, the proposed mechanistic pathway from enynamines to Cps occurs via a Au(III) ene cis-trans isomerization step. Computational studies at DFT and NEVPT2 levels advocate that the cis-trans isomerization step proceeds via a dual Au(III) push-pull assisted intermediate with a low computed rotation barrier.

A relativistic DFT methodology for calculating the structures and NMR chemical shifts of octahedral platinum and iridium complexes.

A methodology for optimizing the geometry and calculating the NMR shielding constants is calibrated for octahedral complexes of Pt(IV) and Ir(III) with modified nucleic acid bases. The performance of seven different functionals (BLYP, B3LYP, BHLYP, BP86, TPSS, PBE, and PBE0) in optimizing the geometry of transition-metal complexes is evaluated using supramolecular clusters derived from X-ray data. The effects of the size of the basis set (ranging from SVP to QZVPP) and the dispersion correction (D3) on the interatomic distances are analyzed.

Relativistic effects in triphenylbismuth and their influence on molecular structure and spectroscopic properties.

Relativistic effects in triphenylbismuth have been investigated using a combined experimental and theoretical approach. The influence of these effects on the molecular structure (determined by gas electron diffraction) has been evaluated by means of quantum chemical calculations which consider scalar-relativistic and relativistic effects causing electronic spin-orbit coupling. Besides the molecular structure, different types of spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR, UV-vis) have been applied and their results have been set in contrast with the results derived from quantum chemical calculations.

Effect of fluorine substitution on the aromaticity of polycyclic hydrocarbons.

The effect of fluorine substitution on the aromaticity of polycyclic hydrocarbons (PAH) is investigated. Magnetically induced current densities, current pathways, and current strengths, which can be used to assess molecular aromaticity, are calculated using the gauge-including magnetically induced current method (GIMIC). The degree of aromaticity of the individual rings is compared to those obtained using calculated nucleus-independent chemical shifts at the ring centers (NICS(0) and NICS(0)(zz)).