Synthetic and Structural Chemistry of Uranyl-Amidoxime Complexes: Technological Implications

Resource shortage is a major problem in our world. Nuclear energy green and because of this its high density, it has been attracting more attention during the last few decades. Uranium valuable nuclear fuel used majority power plants. More than one thousand times uranium exists oceans, at very low concentrations, present terrestrial ores. As demand for generation increases year-on-year, access to reserve paramount importance security. Water-insoluble polymeric materials functionalized with amidoxime group are technically feasible platform extracting uranium, form {UO2}2+, from seawater, which also contains various concentrations other competing metal ions, including vanadium (V). An in-depth understanding coordination modes binding strength uranyl ions key parameter improving extraction efficiency selectivity. Very limited information on complexation {UO2}2+ amidoximes was available before 2012. However, significant advances have made decade. This report reviews solid-state chemistry (alone or within ligands potential donor sites) ion, while sporadic solution theoretical studies given. Comparative briefly described. Eight different neutral singly deprotonated groups identified structures complexes. Particular emphasis given describing reactivity open-chain glutardiamidoxime, closed-ring glutarimidedioxime glutarimidoxioxime moieties, as side chains sorbents, towards moiety. The technological implications some observed outlined. It believed that X-ray crystallography small uranyl-amidoxime molecules may help build an interactions seawater amidoxime-functionalized polymers improve their recovery capacity selectivity, leading efficient extractants. challenges scientists working structural elucidation complexes review six sections 95 references.