This week Chemistry World reports how the study of uranium chemistry should become significantly easier thanks to researchers in the US who have discovered a simple way to make key precursors to a wide range of low valency uranium compounds.
A deep understanding of uranium chemistry is important not only for developing improved nuclear fuel cycles, but because the element has also shown promise in materials such as superconductors and catalysts. Uranium complexes are highly sensitive to water and air, but the only viable syntheses started from aqueous reactions of uranium oxides with harsh chlorinating reagents at high temperatures. Read more in Simon Hadlington’s Chemistry World story!
See also Jackie’s recent ChemComm article reporting convenient access to thorium complexes.
