Equilibria and dynamics in binary and ternary uranyl oxalate and acetate/fluoride complexes

• The formation of ternary UO2(ac)pFq2-p-q (p = 1 or 2 and q = 1-3) complexes, and their equilibrium constants were investigated by potentiometric titrations and 19F NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium constants have been determined from the emf data in a NaClO4 medium at constant sodium concentration, [Na+] = 1.00 M at 25°C, except for the UO2(ac)F32- complex where 19F NMR at -5°C was used. The magnitude of the equilibrium constant for the stepwise addition of fluoride indicates that prior co-ordination of acetate has only a small effect on the subsequent bonding of fluoride. The acetate exchange in the ternary UO2(ac)F32- complex was studied using 19F NMR. Through magnetisation transfer experiments, it was possible to confirm the provisional mechanism from a previous study and also the consistency of the rate constants for the five different exchange pathways required to describe the fluoride exchange. The exchange takes place via the intermediate UO2F3(H2O)2-, indicating that the acetate exchange follows an interchange mechanism with solvent participation in the transition state. The rates and mechanisms of the ligand exchange reactions in UO2(ox)2(H2O)2- and UO2(ac)2(H2O) have been studied using 13C NMR techniques at -5°C. The rate law is v = k-[complex][ligand], and the second order rate constant and the activation parameters for both systems have been determined. The reactions most likely take place through an Eigen-Wilkins type of mechanism, where the first step is a pre-equilibrium of an outer-sphere complex followed by a rate determining exchange of water. The rate constants for the water exchange reactions are very similar to that in UO2(H2O)52+. The information from the binary oxalate system rules out the formation of UO2(ox)2(H2O)2- as an intermediate in the exchange reactions in the previously studied UO2(ox)2F3-, also in this case confirming a previously suggested exchange mechanism. The H+/D+ isotope effects and a linear free energy relationship suggest that the main catalytic effect of H+ on ligand exchange rates is due to the formation of a protonated precursor. Hence, the catalytic effect depends on the basicity of the ligand and the site for the proton attack.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Kemi (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Chemical Sciences (hsv//eng)

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)