ABSTRACT
The optical absorption, emission, FT Raman, one-photon excitation, two-photon excitation, and luminescence lifetime measurements are reported for UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) in 40:60 AlCl(3)-EMIC (where EMIC identical with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride), a room-temperature ionic liquid. Comparison of the spectra with previous results from single crystals containing UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) allowed the characterization of four ground-state vibrational frequencies, two excited-state vibrational frequencies, and the location of eight electronic excited-state energy levels. The vibrational frequencies and electronic energy levels are found to be consistent with the UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) ion. Comparison of the one-photon and two-photon excitation spectra, and the relative intensities of the transitions in the emission spectrum indicate that the center of symmetry is perturbed by an interaction with the solvent.
ABSTRACT
Uranium(VI) alkoxide complexes are prepared via metathesis reactions of [UO2Cl2(THF)2]2 with potassium alkoxides in nonaqueous media. The dark red compound U[OCH2C(CH3)3]6, 1, results from redistributive exchange of oxo and neopentoxide ligands between more than one uranium species. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 reveals a monomer in which the uranium is coordinated in a pseudooctahedral fashion by six neopentoxide ligands. Imposition of steric congestion at the metal center prevents oxo-alkoxide ligand exchange in the reactions using more sterically demanding alkoxides. Simple metathesis between uranyl chloride and alkoxide ligands occurs in the synthesis of golden yellow-orange UO2(OCHPh2)2(THF)2, 2, and yellow UO2[OCH(tBu)Ph]2(THF)2, 3. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 2 reveals a monomer in which the uranium is coordinated in a pseudooctahedral fashion by two apical oxo ligands, two diphenylmethoxide ligands occupying trans positions, and two tetrahydrofuran ligands. Coordination of diisopropylmethoxide allows for synthesis of a more complex binary alkoxide system. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of watermelon red [UO2(OCH(iPr)2)2]4, 4, reveals a tetramer in which each uranium is coordinated in a pseudooctahedral fashion by two apical oxo ligands, one terminal alkoxide, two bridging alkoxide ligands, and one bridging oxo ligand from a neighboring uranyl group. These compounds are characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and, for 1, 2, and 4, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Luminescence spectroscopy is employed to evaluate the extent of aggregation of compounds 2-4 in various solvents. Vibrational spectroscopic measurements of 2-4 imply that, in contrast to the case of uranyl complexes prepared in aqueous environments, coordination of relatively strongly donating alkoxide ligands allows for enhancement of electron density on the uranyl groups such that the uranyl U=O bonds are weakened. Crystal data are as follows. 1: monoclinic space group C2/m, a = 10.6192(8) A, b = 18.36(1) A, c = 10.6151(8) A, beta = 109.637(1) degrees, V = 1949.1(3) A3, Z = 2, dcalc = 1.297 g cm-3. Refinement of 2065 reflections gave R1 = 0.045. 2: monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, a = 6.1796(4) A, b = 15.669(1) A, c = 16.169(1) A, beta = 95.380(1) degrees, V = 1558.7(2) A3, Z = 2, dcalc = 1.664 g cm-3. Refinement of 3048 reflections gave R1 = 0.036. 4: tetragonal space group I4, a = 17.8570(6) A, b = 17.8570(6) A, c = 11.4489(6) A, V = 3650.7(3) A3, Z = 2, dcalc = 1.821 g cm-3. Refinement of 1981 reflections gave R1 = 0.020.
