Formation of a heteronuclear hydrolysis complex in the Th(IV)-Fe(III) system.

The speciation in the mixed Th(IV)-Fe(III) system has been studied in aqueous solution in the pH range of 2.0-4.8. In the individual systems iron(III) and thorium(IV) hydrolyze easily and hydrolysis products precipitate at approximately pH ≥ 2.0 and 4.0, respectively, at the metal concentrations used in this study, 0.02-0.05 mol dm(-3). In the mixed Th(IV)-Fe(III) system precipitation of ferrihydrite takes place after months of storage at low pH values, 2.0 (six-line ferrihydrite) and 2.3 (two-line ferrihydrite), as identified by X-ray powder diffraction. In the pH range 2.9-4.5 no precipitation was observed after 24 months. Two thorium(IV)-iron(III) solutions with pH = 2.9, C(Th) = 0.02 and 0.05 mol dm(-3) and C(Fe) = 0.02 mol dm(-3), were studied by extended X-ray absorption fine structure, EXAFS, using the Fe K and Th L(3) edges, and a third solution with pH = 2.9 and C(Th) = C(Fe) = 0.40 mol dm(-3) by large angle X-ray scattering, LAXS, to determine the structure of the predominating species. A heteronuclear hydrolysis complex with the composition [Th(2)Fe(2)(µ(2)-OH)(8)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) is proposed to form in solution, with Th···Th, Th···Fe and Fe···Fe distances of 3.94(2) and 3.96(2), 3.41(3) and 3.43(2), 3.04(2) and 3.02(4) Å, as determined by EXAFS and LAXS, respectively.

Composition and structure of polynuclear chromium(III) hydroxo complexes.

The structures of the polynuclear hydrolysis complexes of chromium(III) formed in acidic and alkaline aqueous solution have been determined by means of extended X-ray absorption fine structure and large angle X-ray scattering. Chromium(III) is present as mononuclear hydrated ions below pH 3-4, with the upper limit depending on concentration, ionic strength, and temperature. Chromium(III) hydrolyzes in aqueous solution above this pH in concentrated aged solutions to mainly cationic tetrameric complexes containing both single and double hydroxo bridges between the chromium(III) ions. Above pH 5, the solubility of chromium(III) decreases sharply to form solid hydrated chromium(III) hydroxide. The solubility of chromium(III) increases sharply at elevated pH, and fairly concentrated solutions can be prepared in concentrated aqueous solutions of sodium hydroxide. According to the literature, mononuclear tetrahydroxochromate(III) complexes, Cr(OH)(4)(-), are formed in alkaline aqueous solution. However, this study shows polymeric chains of six-coordinated chromium(III) ions connected through double hydroxo bridges and with two terminal hydroxo groups giving an overall composition of (Cr(OH)(4))(n)(n-). This polymer is stable for a long time in solution at pH = 15. However, at pH < 15, this polymer precipitates slowly with time, over months, to an amorphous phase with a structure around chromium similar to that in alpha-chromium(III) oxide hydroxide.