An extensive family of uranium peroxide nanoclusters has been developed, researched, and characterized over the past decade. These studies shed light on the behavior and properties of the actinides at the nanoscale level. Single crystal X-ray diffraction data allowed for the refinement of the uranium, phosphorus, and oxygen atoms of the U60P32 cluster with chemical formula (Z=1): [Li,(NH4)]64[(UO2)60(O2)60(HPO4)32(H2O)24]●nH2O characterized by pseudo cubic Th symmetry. The cluster is formed by twelve structurally identical pentagonal rings of UrØ6 bipyramids (where Ur represents the uranyl ion, (UO2)2+ coordinated to six oxygens, Ø, in the form of peroxide (O22-), hydroxide (OH-), or water). The pentamers are decorated by two phosphate tetrahedra with the general formula being [Ur5(O2)5Ø6(PØ4)2]n-. Eight additional PØ4 tetrahedra are placed between the pentamers, completing the cluster. There are two types of phosphate environments; one environment involves a phosphate tetrahedron sharing vertices with three different uranyl polyhedra, and in the other environment the phosphate tetrahedra share an edge with one uranyl polyhedron and share a vertex with a different uranyl polyhedron. Bond valence calculations confirmed equatorial non-bridging oxygens of the uranyl polyhedra are water, and also suggests there is a predominant occupation of hydroxyl groups on non-bridging axial phosphate vertices. In addition to the uranium pentamers (five-membered rings, 5R), the cluster consists of 10-membered rings (10R, formed by four PØ4 tetrahedra and six UrØ6 bipyramids) and 6-membered rings (6R, formed by two PØ4 tetrahedra and four UrØ6 bipyramids) with the total ratio 10R:6R:5R=6:12:24. Raman, IR, and XRF spectra, as well as LA-ICPMS data, were collected to further characterize the compound.

Synthesis, topology, and properties of a phosphate-functionalized uranyl peroxide cage cluster

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

[Author Benefits](https://scimeetings.acs.org/?utm_source=pubs_content_marketing&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=0320_MCF_NPI_Launch_Spring_Homepage&ref=pubs_content_marketing)

[How to use SciMeetings](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMeetings-ACSSpring2020-HowToGuide_M3020-Final.pdf)

[Frequently Asked Questions](https://storage.googleapis.com/dl.morressier.com/acs/SciMtng_ACSNMSp2020_FAQ_M3120_Final.pdf)

ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.