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Updated: Jul 7, 2026

A Novel Technique for Raman Analysis of Highly Radioactive Samples Using Any Standard Micro-Raman Spectrometer
Published on: April 12, 2017
Vibrational spectroscopy of anionic nitrate complexes of UO22+ and Eu3+ isolated in the gas phase
G S Groenewold1, J Oomens, W A de Jong
1Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, USA. gary.groenewold@inl.gov
Abstract:
Wavelength-selective infrared multiple photon photo-dissociation (IRMPD) was used to generate spectra of anionic nitrate complexes of UO(2)(2+) and Eu(3+) in the mid-infrared region. Similar spectral patterns were observed for both species, including splitting of the antisymmetric O-N-O stretch into high and low frequency components with the magnitude of the splitting consistent with attachment of nitrate to a strong Lewis acid center. The frequencies measured for [UO(2)(NO(3))(3)](-) were within a few cm(-1) of those measured in the condensed phase, the best agreement yet achieved for a comparison of IRMPD with condensed phase absorption spectra. In addition, experimentally-determined values were in good general agreement with those predicted by DFT calculations, especially for the antisymmetric UO(2) stretch. The spectrum from the [UO(2)(NO(3))(3)](-) was compared with that of [Eu(NO(3))(4)](-), which showed that nitrate was bound more strongly to the Eu(3+) metal center, consistent with its higher charge. The spectrum of a unique uranyl-oxo species having an elemental composition [UO(9)N(2)](-) was also acquired, that contained nitrate absorptions suggestive of a [UO(2)(NO(3))(2)(O)](-) structure; the spectrum lacked bands indicative of nitrite and superoxide that would be indicative of an alternative [UO(2)(NO(3))(NO(2))(O(2))](-) structure.
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