The structure and bonding of actinide complexes is paramount to finding new methods for recycling spent nuclear fuel and rapid characterization in complex matrices. Since soft donor ligands have been shown to have greater extraction ability with actinides over lanthanides, we have begun exploring the coordination chemistry and spectroscopy of homoleptic actinides complexes with sulfur-, selenium-, and tellurium-based ligands. Reaction of ThCl4(DME)2 or UI4(dioxane)2 with four equivalents of Na[E2PPh(OCH3)], E = S, Se, produces the corresponding An[E2PPh(OCH3)]4, An = Th, U, the first dithio- and diselenophosphonate complexes of the f elements. Mixed thioselenophosphinates, [SSePPh2]1-, were produced from a similar salt metathesis. Additionally, new carbamate and dithiocarbamate actinide complexes will be discussed and compared with their transition metal analogs. The molecular and electronic structure of these complexes will be presented through x-ray crystallography, NMR and IR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations.

Synthesis and characterization of homoleptic actinide-chalcogenide complexes

246th National Meeting (2013)

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