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Uranyl chloride

Chemical compound From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Uranyl chloride is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula UO2Cl2. It is a fluorescent water soluble compound.[1] Uranyl chloride also refers to inorganic compounds with the formula UO2Cl2(H2O)n where n = 0, 1, 2, or 3. These are yellow salts.

Quick facts Names, Identifiers ...
Uranyl chloride
[O=U=O]Cl2
Names
IUPAC name
Dichlorodioxouranium
Other names
Uranium(VI), dichlorodioxy
Uranium(VI) dichloride dioxide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.029.315 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 232-246-1
UNII
  • hydrate: InChI=1S/2ClH.H2O.2O.U/h2*1H;1H2;;;/q;;;;;+2/p-2
    Key: DPJRXHIPGVVIJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • dihydrate: InChI=1S/2ClH.2H2O.2O.U/h2*1H;2*1H2;;;/q;;;;;;+2/p-2
    Key: FGKUZTMTIQYKJZ-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • trihydrate: InChI=1S/2ClH.3H2O.2O.U/h2*1H;3*1H2;;;/q;;;;;;;+2/p-2
    Key: BYLGCROXFJTSJF-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • [Cl-].O=[U+2]=O.[Cl-]
  • hydrate: O.O=[U+2]=O.[Cl-].[Cl-]
  • dihydrate: O.O.O=[U+2]=O.[Cl-].[Cl-]
  • trihydrate: O.O.O.O=[U+2]=O.[Cl-].[Cl-]
Properties
UO2Cl2
Molar mass 340.93 g·mol−1
Appearance bright yellow large crystals[1]
Melting point Decomposes
Boiling point Decomposes
soluble[1]
Solubility Soluble in alcohols, acetone and ethers,[1] insoluble in benzene
Hazards
Safety data sheet (SDS) External MSDS
Related compounds
Other anions
Other cations
Related uranium chlorides
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Synthesis and structures

Fragment of lattice of UO2Cl2 (anhydrous) showing 7-coordinate U centers with trans oxo ligands. Color code: red = O, green = Cl. Selected distances: U-O, 169, U-Cl, 264-275 pm.
Structure of the molecular complex uranyl chloride trihydrate (UO2Cl2(H2O)3). Color scheme: red = O, green = U, darker green = Cl, white = H.[2]

Anhydrous uranyl chloride is a coordination polymer. It reacts and depolymerizes upon treatment with water. The hydrates are also obtained by treating aqueous uranyl sulfate or uranyl acetate with hydrochloric acid. Depending on the method of drying, one obtains the mono- or the trihydrate. The monohydrate is described as a yellow, sulfur-like powder. It is very hygroscopic.[3] The trihydrate is greenish-yellow. Both hydrates are fluorescent solids that are highly soluble in water.[4]

The anhydrous material can be obtained by the reaction of oxygen with uranium tetrachloride:[citation needed]

UCl4 + O2 → UO2Cl2 + Cl2

The anhydrous material can also be obtained by the heating the hydrate under a stream of gaseous hydrogen chloride.ref name=Brauer/>

In terms of structures, all three of these compounds feature the uranyl center (trans-UO2+2) bound to five additional ligands, which can include (bridging) chloride, water, or another uranyl oxygen.[5][6]

Reactions

The aquo ligands can be replaced by a variety of donors, e.g. THF.[7] Uranyl chloride, and its two hydrates, (UO2Cl2·H2O and UO2Cl2·3H2O) decompose in the presence of light. This photosensitivity over the years, from time to time, has attracted scientific interest and there have been various unsuccessful attempts to develop applications in photography using these compounds.[1]

Safety

Uranyl chloride is radioactive.[1]

References

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