Plutonyl chloride is a compound of plutonium, oxygen, and chlorine with the chemical formula PuO2Cl2. It features plutonium in the +6 oxidation state, bonded to two oxygen atoms and two chlorine atoms. This is an inorganic compound featuring plutonium in the +6 oxidation state (the plutonyl ion, PuO₂²⁺), along with two oxygen atoms and two chlorine atoms. It was initially isolated by Alenchikova et al. in 1959.
Plutonyl chloride is reactive and forms various complexes, particularly with oxygen-donor ligands. For example, it reacts with triphenylphosphine oxide (Ph₃PO) in acetone and dilute HCl to yield [PuO₂Cl₂(Ph₃PO)₂], where the structure features trans axial plutonyl oxygens, trans chlorides, and Ph₃PO in the equatorial plane.
Synthesis
The plutonyl chloride solution can be prepared by oxidizing tetravalent plutonium chloride with chlorine. The plutonyl chloride is then isolated by evaporation of the solution in vacuum at room temperature.
Plutonyl chloride is synthesized by oxidizing tetravalent plutonium chloride (PuCl₄) with chlorine gas in solution. The resulting plutonyl chloride solution is then isolated by evaporating under vacuum at room temperature. Related complexes like Cs₂[PuO₂Cl₄] can be prepared similarly, often involving chloride-rich environments.
Properties
Plutonyl fluoride is soluble in water. Plutonyl fluoride forms the unstable hexahydrate PuO2Cl2·6H2O. The hydrate is reduced to Pu(IV) by alpha-radiation.
- Chemical formula: PuO2Cl2
- Molar mass: 276 g·mol−1
- Solubility in water: soluble
Uses
Plutonyl chloride and its complexes are important in the context of nuclear fuel reprocessing. The compound and its complexes play a key role in nuclear fuel reprocessing, where they facilitate the separation and handling of plutonium in chloride-based systems. They are also studied in the context of actinide chemistry for understanding coordination, spectroscopy, and environmental behavior of plutonium.
Safety and Handling
As a plutonium compound, plutonyl chloride is highly radioactive and toxic, requiring specialized handling in gloveboxes or hot cells to prevent exposure to alpha radiation and chemical hazards. Its instability due to radiolysis adds to the challenges in storage and use.
