Origins of NpO22+ XAS features: Hydrated compared to isolated NpO22.

The principal concern of this paper is to compare theoretical predictions for M5 → 5f x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) obtained between an isolated linear NpO22+ model and an embedded NpO22+ model that takes into account the environment of the solution where XAS measurements are actually conducted. The embedded model is an NpO2[H2O]52+ cluster. Novel methods are used to quantify the role of the hydration both for the molecular orbitals and for the many-body wavefunctions that account for the interaction of the hole in the M5 shell with the two electrons in the open 5f shell of the excited states.

Pu(iii) and Cm(iii) in the presence of EDTA: aqueous speciation, redox behavior, and the impact of Ca(ii).

The impact of calcium on the solubility, redox behavior, and speciation of the An(iii)-EDTA (An = Pu or Cm) system under reducing, anoxic conditions was investigated through batch solubility experiments, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), density functional theory (DFT), and time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). Batch solubility experiments were conducted from undersaturation using Pu(OH)(am) as the solid phase in contact with 0.1 M NaCl-NaOH-HCl-EDTA-CaCl solutions at [EDTA] = 1 mM, pH = 7.

Opportunities and challenges of applying advanced X-ray spectroscopy to actinide and lanthanide N-donor ligand systems.

N-donor ligands such as n-Pr-BTP [2,6-bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine] preferentially bind trivalent actinides (An) over trivalent lanthanides (Ln) in liquid-liquid separation. However, the chemical and physical processes responsible for this selectivity are not yet well understood. Here, an explorative comparative X-ray spectroscopy and computational (L-edge) study for the An/Ln L-edge and the N K-edge of [An/Ln(n-Pr-BTP)](NO), [Ln(n-Pr-BTP)](CFSO) and [Ln(n-Pr-BTP)](ClO) complexes is presented.

Complexation of Np(V) with the Dicarboxylates, Malonate, and Succinate: Complex Stoichiometry, Thermodynamic Data, and Structural Information.

The complexation of Np(V) with malonate and succinate is studied by different spectroscopic techniques, namely, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) and extended X-ray absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, as well as by quantum chemistry to determine the speciation, thermodynamic data, and structural information of the formed complexes. For complex stoichiometries and the thermodynamic functions (log β(Θ), ΔH, ΔS), near infrared absorption spectroscopy (vis/NIR) is applied. The complexation reactions are investigated as a function of the total concentration of malonate ([Mal]) and succinate ([Succ]), ionic strength [ = 0.

Impact of Solvent Polarity on the Ligand Configuration in Tetravalent Thorium N-Donor Complexes.

A combined NMR spectroscopic and theoretical study on the complexation of diamagnetic Th(IV) with 2,6-bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (Pr-BTP) was performed. Different ligand configurations were observed for [Th(Pr-BTP)] complexes depending on the solvent's ability to actively form hydrogen bonds. In polar aprotic solvents, a complex is observed, which is isostructural with [M(Pr-BTP)] (M = Am, Ln) complexes studied earlier.

Trivalent Actinide Ions Showing Tenfold Coordination in Solution.

Trivalent actinides generally exhibit ninefold coordination in solution. 2,6-Bis(5,6-dipropyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (nPr-BTP), a tridentate nitrogen donor ligand, is known to form ninefold coordinated 1:3 complexes, [An(nPr-BTP)] (An = U, Pu, Am, Cm) in solution. We report a Cm(III) complex with tenfold coordination in solution, [Cm(nPr-BTP)(NO)].

Activation of the Aromatic Core of 3,3'-(Pyridine-2,6-diylbis(1-1,2,3-triazole-4,1-diyl))bis(propan-1-ol)-Effects on Extraction Performance, Stability Constants, and Basicity.

The "CHON" compatible water-soluble ligand 3,3'-(pyridine-2,6-diylbis(1-1,2,3-triazole-4,1-diyl))bis(propan-1-ol) (PTD) has shown promise for selectively stripping actinide ions from an organic phase containing both actinide and lanthanide ions, by preferential complexation of the former. Aiming at improving its complexation properties, PTD-OMe was synthesized, bearing a methoxy group on the central pyridine ring, thus increasing its basicity and hence complexation strength. Unfortunately, solvent extraction experiments in the range of 0.

Thermodynamic and Structural Studies on the Ln(III)/An(III) Malate Complexation.

The complexation of the trivalent lanthanides Nd(III) and Eu(III) and of the actinide Am(III) with malate was studied using a multi-method approach. The combination of structural and thermodynamic studies was required for the interpretation of the stoichiometry and thermodynamic data (log β, Δ H, Δ S, Δ G) of the lanthanide/actinide malate complexes leading to a profound molecular understanding of the system. The structure-sensitive methods vibrational spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy complemented with quantum-mechanical ab initio molecular dynamics calculations revealed a tridentate ring structure of the respective metal complexes.

Incorporation of transuranium elements: coordination of Cm(iii) to human serum transferrin.

The coordination environment of Cm(iii) bound at the Fe(iii) binding sites of transferrin was investigated using a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Complexation studies with two hTf/2N single point mutants, Y95F (Tyr → Phe) and H249A (His → Ala) were performed. The substitution of Tyr 95 by the non-complexing Phe prevents Cm(iii) from forming of a strong, multidentate complex with the mutant.

Stoichiometry of An(iii)-DMDOHEMA complexes formed during solvent extraction.

N,N'-Dimethyl,N,N'-dioctylhexylethoxymalonamide (DMDOHEMA) is used to separate An(iii) and Ln(iii) from fission products in several liquid-liquid extraction processes that aim at recycling actinides. The stoichiometry of the extracted complexes is important for a complete understanding of the processes. The presented work focuses on the complexation of Cm(iii) with DMDOHEMA studied by TRLFS in mono- and biphasic (solvent extraction) systems.

On the isotropy of induced multipole moments in heavy ion complexes.

Polarization effects have been proven to play an important role in the theoretical description of chemical processes. With this respect, we report ab initio calculations describing multiconfigurational and relativistic effects as well as electron correlation to determine dipole- and quadrupole polarizabilities for all trivalent actinide and lanthanide ions. The results are used in an iterative point-multipole model to compute polarization interaction for different metal compounds.

Coordination and Thermodynamics of Trivalent Curium with Malonate at Increased Temperatures: A Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Study.

The complexation of Cm(III) with malonate is studied by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) in the temperature range from 25 to 90 °C. Three complexes ([Cm(Mal)], n = 1, 2, 3) are identified and their molar fractions are determined as a function of the ligand concentration, the ionic strength, and the temperature. A general shift of the chemical equilibrium toward higher complexes with increasing temperature is observed, with the [CmMal] complex forming only at T > 40 °C.

4,4'-Di-tert-butyl-6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine: modification of a highly selective N-donor ligand for the separation of trivalent actinides from lanthanides.

In the present work, the complexation and extraction behaviour of 4,4'di-tert-butyl-6-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-2,2'-bipyridine (HNbubipy) towards trivalent actinides (An(iii)) and lanthanides (Ln(iii)) is studied by spectroscopic methods, liquid-liquid extraction, and quantum chemical calculations. The ligand synthesis of HNbubipy as well as its application in coordination chemistry of the 4f elements is described. Reaction of HNbubipy with [Ln(NO)·6HO] (Ln = Sm, Eu) results in [HNbubipy][Ln(Nbubipy)(NO)(HO)].

Computing UV/vis spectra using a combined molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry approach: bis-triazin-pyridine (BTP) ligands studied in solution.

We report a combined computational and experimental study to investigate the UV/vis spectra of 2,6-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (BTP) ligands in solution. In order to study molecules in solution using theoretical methods, force-field parameters for the ligand-water interaction are adjusted to ab initio quantum chemical calculations. Based on these parameters, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are carried out from which snapshots are extracted as input to quantum chemical excitation-energy calculations to obtain UV/vis spectra of BTP ligands in solution using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) employing the Tamm-Dancoff approximation (TDA).

The complexation of Cm(III) with oxalate in aqueous solution at T = 20-90 °C: a combined TRLFS and quantum chemical study.

The complexation of Cm(III) with oxalate is studied in aqueous solution as a function of the ligand concentration, the ionic strength (NaCl), and the temperature (T = 20–90 °C) by time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and quantum chemical calculations. Four complex species ([Cm(Ox)n](3–2n), n = 1, 2, 3, 4) are identified, and their molar fractions are determined by peak deconvolution of the emission spectra. The conditional log K′n(T) values of the first three complexes are calculated and extrapolated to zero ionic strength with the specific ion interaction theory approach.

Further insights in the ability of classical nonadditive potentials to model actinide ion-water interactions.

Pursuing our efforts on the development of accurate classical models to simulate radionuclides in complex environments (Réal et al., J. Phys.

Modeling the hydration of mono-atomic anions from the gas phase to the bulk phase: the case of the halide ions F-, Cl-, and Br-.

In this work, we investigate the hydration of the halide ions fluoride, chloride, and bromide using classical molecular dynamics simulations at the 10 ns scale and based on a polarizable force-field approach, which treats explicitly the cooperative bond character of strong hydrogen bond networks. We have carried out a thorough analysis of the ab initio data at the MP2 or CCSD(T) level concerning anion/water clusters in gas phase to adjust the force-field parameters. In particular, we consider the anion static polarizabilities computed in gas phase using large atomic basis sets including additional diffuse functions.

Quantum chemical and molecular dynamics study of the coordination of Th(IV) in aqueous solvent.

In this work, we investigate the solvation of tetravalent thorium Th(IV) in aqueous solution using classical molecular dynamics simulations at the 10 ns scale and based on polarizable force-field approaches, which treat explicitly the covalent character of the metal-water interaction (and its inherent cooperative character). We have carried out a thorough analysis of the accuracy of the ab initio data that we used to adjust the force-field parameters. In particular, we show that large atomic basis sets combined with wave function-based methods (such as the MP2 level) have to be preferred to density functional theory when investigating Th(IV)/water aggregates in gas phase.

Complexation of Cm(III) with fluoride in aqueous solution in the temperature range from 20 to 90 °C. A joint TRLFS and quantum chemical study.

The formation of hydrated CmF2+ and CmF2+ species in aqueous solutions are studied in the temperature range of 20−90 °C at different fluoride concentrations and at constant ionic strength as well as at constant fluoride concentration and different ionic strengths by means of time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS). The molar fractions of the Cm3+ aqua ion, CmF2+, and CmF2+ species are determined by peak deconvolution of the emission spectra. An increase of the mono- and difluoro complexes is observed with increasing fluoride concentration and/or increasing temperature.