In-situ peroxide generation in the presence of uranium is largely attributed to photocatalytic processes involving the oxidation of organic substrates. We recently crystallized and chemically characterized two pseudo cis-trans configurational isomeric uranyl peroxide dimer structures without photoexcitation or the addition of peroxide as a reagent. “Cis” peroxide dimer was synthesized by slow evaporation, in the presence of uranyl nitrate : Mn+ (M = Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, La3+, Al3+) in 1:1 ratio with 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylate and THF. The “trans” peroxide dimer was formed by structural transformation of the [Li(UO2)(C7H3NO4)(C4H5NO4).4H2O] chain compound. Raman spectroscopy was also performed to investigate the rate of peroxide formation in solution. Our investigations suggest that the presence of peroxide is the result of a chemical mechanism and can be utilized in the formation of novel uranyl peroxide materials.

Uranyl peroxide formation in the absence of light

251st National Meeting (2016)

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