Synthesis and Characterization of Water Stable Uranyl(V) Complexes

The importance of uranyl(V) (UO2+) species associated with environmental and geologic applications is becoming increasingly evident, but the tendency cation to disproportionate in water has prevented isolation stable complexes. Here we demonstrate that presence tridentate complexing dipicolinate (dpa2?), a ligand highly abundant soil, can be stabilized isolated anoxic basic water. Stable complexes are readily formed from reduction uranyl(VI) analogue both organic solution water, their solid-state structure were determined. A bis-dpa UVO2+ complex was obtained at pH 10, while higher values, trinuclear mono-dpa cation-cation isolated. These results present second ever complex. Moreover, UVIO22+, UIV strongly luminescent signature characteristic each oxidation state. This provides unique examples UV compounds.