Exploration of Uranyl(VI) Cyclopentadienyl Chemistry

Abstract

The apparent absence of research into the fundamental chemistry of uranium, despite the prominent use in generation of energy through nuclear means, renders research into the field vital. Uranyl(VI), [UO2]2+, is the most thermodynamically stable form of uranium and subsequently the most stable form of uranium in the environment. This stability proves essential into the understanding the chemistry of such species with regard to managing nuclear waste from nuclear reactors and long-term environmental solutions plagued with the use of radionuclides. In order to develop a holistic understanding of uranyl chemistry including its redox chemistry, this study aimed to further the research previously conducted by Natrajan and co-workers through the preparation of a new synthetic route of the installation of cyclopentadienyl inclusion onto a uranyl species, alternative reagents were utilised through alkali metal cyclopentadienyl derivates and a bis-cyclopentadienyl silane ligand in order to ascertain the tolerance of the methodology previously installed to a uranyl(VI) silylamide complex. Various further derivates of the uranyl(VI) moiety were used in order to experiment the feasibility of the methods previously used by Natrajan and co-workers in the field. The incorporation of this chemistry to the actinyl moiety has rendered work to ascertain if this chemistry identified by Natrajan and co-workers could be expanded to the lanthanides, with samarium being utilised in an attempt to conduct prelude experiments to expand the field of cyclopentadienyl, through selective substitution of the species to a samarium(III) tris-silylamide through the same methodology used for that of the uranyl moiety, coupled with further work of the use of bis-cyclopentadienyl silane ligand.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2019
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Louise Natrajan (Supervisor) & David Mills (Supervisor)