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Updated: Aug 31, 2025

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Published on: December 1, 2020
Insights into the solution structure of the hydrated uranyl ion from neutron scattering and EXAFS experiments
Samuel J Edwards1, Daniel T Bowron2, Robert J Baker1
1School of Chemistry, University of Dublin Trinity College, Dublin 2, Ireland. bakerrj@tcd.ie.
Abstract:
The solution structure of 1.0 M Uranyl Chloride has been determined by the EPSR modelling of a combination of neutron scattering and EXAFS data. The experimental data show an equilibrium in solution between [UO2(H2O)5]2+ and [UO2Cl(H2O)4]+ with a stability constant of 0.23 ± 0.03 mol-1 dm-3. A much smaller fraction of the neutral [UO2Cl2(H2O)3] ion is also observed. The data also show, for the first time in solution, that the uranyl ion is a very poor hydrogen bond acceptor, but the coordinated waters show enhanced hydrogen bond ability compared to the bulk water.
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