Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.114, No.40, 10878-10884, 2010
IR Fingerprints of U(VI) Nitrate Monoamides Complexes: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study
Infrared spectra or 0.5 mol(center dot)L(-1) uranium(VI) nitrate monoamide complexes in toluene have been recorded and compared with infrared spectra calculated by DFT. The investigated monoamides were N.N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dibutylformamide (DBF), and N,N-dicyclohexylformamide (DeHF). The validity of DFT calculations for describing uranium nitrate monoamide complexes has been confirmed as a fair agreement between experimental and calculated spectra was obtained. Furthermore, a topological analysis of the electron density has been carried out to characterize rnonoamide-uranium interactions. Frorn this work, it appears that the increase of stability of uranylmonoamide complexes may be directly linked to the degree of polarization of the ligands in interaction with uranylnitrate. Among the investigated monoamides, the most stable complex is UO2(NO3)(2)(center dot)2DeHF. This complex is characterized by a high positive charge &localization in the outer part or the liE,:tod molecule, which leads to a more concentrated positive charge close to the uranyl cation (UO221), thus strengthening the electrostatic interaction between the metal and the ligand.