Cluster Control in Oligouranyl Complexes of p-t-Butylcalix[8]arene

Formation of uranyl ion complexes of p-t-butylcalix[8]arene by reaction of the calixarene with [UO2(dmso)5]2+ in the presence of various bases leads to the crystallisation of solids with interestingly different stoichiometry, involving both di- and tri-uranate oligomers bound to the calixarene in an...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Harrowfield, J., Ogden, Mark, Skelton, B., White, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: The Royal Society of Chemistry 2010
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/29459
Description
Summary:Formation of uranyl ion complexes of p-t-butylcalix[8]arene by reaction of the calixarene with [UO2(dmso)5]2+ in the presence of various bases leads to the crystallisation of solids with interestingly different stoichiometry, involving both di- and tri-uranate oligomers bound to the calixarene in anionic species. In all, the calixarene hexa-anion is present in a virtually identical conformation, suggesting that conformational preferences of the ligand must be a major factor controlling the form of the bound oxo-metal complex. Hydrogen bonding to the anions does not appear to be prominent even in the presence of protonated amines and this may explain the formation of some remarkable cation/solvent/simple anion clusters found within the lattices.