Synthesis and structural studies of a bis(carbamoyl methyl) sulfoxide complex of uranyl nitrate

Abstract

A new tri-functional ligand ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂ was prepared and characterized. The coordination chemistry of this ligand with uranyl nitrate was studied with IR, ¹H NMR, electrospray mass–spectrometry, thermogravimetry, and elemental analysis. The structure of [UO₂(NO₃)₂(ⁱBu₂NCOCH₂SOCH₂CONⁱBu₂)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The uranium(VI) ion is surrounded by eight oxygens in a hexagonal bipyramidal geometry. Four oxygens from two nitrates and two oxygens from the ligand form a planar hexagon. The ligand is a bidentate chelate, bonding through sulfoxo and one of the carbamoyl groups to uranyl nitrate.

Keywords:

• Bis(carbamoyl methyl) sulfoxide
• Coordination chemistry
• Bidentate chelating mode
• Uranium(VI)
• Crystal structure

Acknowledgments

S. Kannan wishes to thank Dr S.K. Aggarwal, Head, Fuel Chemistry and S.B. Deb wishes to thank Dr R.L. Ramakumar, Head, Radioanalytical Chemistry for their support. We wish to thank the Head, Analytical Chemistry Division, BARC, for carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen analysis, the Head, National NMR facilities, TIFR, Mumbai, for NMR spectra and Dr N.K. Kulkarni for TG/DTA and IIT, Mumbai, for ES–MS. We also wish to thank the EPSRC (UK) and the University of Reading for funds for the diffractometer.