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PubMedDate not supplied

Sequential isotopic determination of plutonium, thorium, americium, strontium and uranium in environmental and bioassay samples.

A procedure has been developed to provide sequential analysis of 238Pu, 230Th, 241Am, 238U, and 90Sr in environmental and bioassay samples. Tracers and/or carriers (242Pu, 243Am, 232U, and stable strontium) are added into the sample as chemical yield monitors, and then, plutonium, thorium, strontium, americium, and uranium are sequentially separated and purified by Dowex ion-exchange resin, EiChroM Sr-resin, EiChroM TRU-resin, and Chelate-100 resin, respectively. The radioactivities of 90Sr and the actinides are measured using the liquid scintillation counter and alpha-particle spectrometer, respectively. Acidified water, glass-fiber air filter, soil, synthetic urine and synthetic feces samples of US National Institute of Standard and Technology Radiochemical Intercomparison Program(NRIP) were analyzed to verify this method. All the analytical results of 238Pu, 230Th, 90Sr, 241Am and 238U meet the traceability limit per ANSI N42.22, and when appropriate, evaluation of radiobioassay measurement bias and precision per ANSI N13.30.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗
PubMed2001

Vertical distributions of uranium, thorium and potassium and of volumetric heat production rates in the sediments of the São Francisco Basin, Central Brazil.

Uranium, thorium and potassium measurements and volumetric heat production rate calculations were made in Bambui Group Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks from the São Francisco Basin, central Brazil. The measurements were made from drilling cuttings from two deep wells drilled near the cities of Alvorada do Norte, northeast Goiás State, and Montalvânia, north of Minas Gerais State. The obtained results allowed the construction of the vertical profiles depicting the abundances of heat generating elements, of the heat production rate and of U/Th, U/K and Th/K ratios in these sediments. These profiles, which reflect both the lithology and the sediment history. are used to interpret some aspects of the Bambui Group sedimentation sequence.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Study of the representativity of uranium and thorium assays in soil and sediment samples by alpha spectrometry.

The activity concentrations of soil and sediment samples are determined by alpha spectrometry with a sample size usually < 1 g. Hence, a systematic and careful procedure must be followed in the sampling and pre-treatment of the sample in order to ensure that the aliquot analysed represents the activity concentration of the entire sample. Statistical analyses of the activity concentrations of uranium and thorium isotopes in soil and sediment samples were performed to study the activity variation due to the lack of the representativity of the sample. These studies showed that, although some uncertainty in the determination of the sample activity concentration may be due to the lack of representativity (about 10%), the procedure followed for the pre-treatment of the sample can be considered adequate, providing an acceptable level of representativity.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2000

Sequential method for the determination of uranium, thorium and 226Ra by liquid scintillation alpha spectrometry.

A new procedure for the determination of uranium, thorium and 226Ra from the same aliquot of an aqueous sample using extractant scintillators and liquid scintillation alpha spectrometry is proposed. The procedure is designed such that the same aqueous phase can be used in all the stages, with slight modifications. The procedure is thus very simple, requiring little manipulation of the sample. Testing of the procedure was performed obtaining satisfactory results and high reproducibility.

Environmental Monitoring↗
PubMed2005

Determination of thorium and uranium in ultrapure lead by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

A method for the determination of U and Th at sub-ppt levels in high-purity Pb samples using extraction chromatography with ICPMS detection is described. Following acid digestion, uranium and thorium are separated from the lead matrix using UTEVA resin. Sorption and elution procedures were optimized, the potential reusability of the chromatographic resin was evaluated, and a performance comparison between prepacked and freshly prepared UTEVA column was made. Uranium could be eluted with 0.025 M HCl and Th then recovered using 0.5% oxalic acid. Recovery yields for U exceed 80% whereas those for Th were typically 60%. Procedural detection limits of 0.5 and 1.5 pg g(-)(1) were obtained for U and Th, respectively. For purposes of comparison, GD-MS analysis of samples was also performed, yielding results consistent with those generated by ICPMS but with inferior detection power.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Synthesis, structure, and properties of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26): a quaternary thorium selenophosphate containing the (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion.

Orange crystals of Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) were grown from the reaction of (232)Th and P in a Cs(2)Se(3)/Se molten salt flux at 750 degrees C. Cs(4)Th(4)P(4)Se(26) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with the unit cell parameters: a = 12.0130(6), b = 14.5747(7), c = 27.134(1) A; Z = 8. The compound exhibits a three-dimensional structure, consisting of dimeric [Th(2)Se(13)] polyhedral units. The two crystallographically independent, nine-coordinate, bicapped trigonal prismatic thorium atoms share a triangular face to form the dimer, and each dimer edge-shares two selenium atoms with two other dimers to form kinked chains along the [010] direction. While this structure shares features of the previously reported Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26), including phosphorus in the 5+ oxidation state, careful inspection of the structure reveals that the selenophosphate anion that knits the structure together in three directions in both compounds is a unique (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion. The formula may be described best as [Cs(2)Th(2)(P(2)Se(9))(Se(2))(2)](2). The (P(2)Se(9))(6-) anion features a nearly linear Se-Se-Se backbone with an angle of 171 degrees and Se-Se distances that are approximately 0.2-0.3 A longer than the typical single Se-Se bond. Magnetic studies confirm that this phase contains Th(IV). Raman data for this compound is reported, and structural comparisons will be drawn to its uranium analogue, Rb(4)U(4)P(4)Se(26).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Structural studies of uranium and thorium complexes with 4,5-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenesdisulfonate (Tiron) at low and neutral pH by X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

We have determined the structure of uranyl, UO(2)(2+), and Th(4+) complexes formed in aqueous solution with 4,5-dihydroxy-3,5-benzenedisulfonate (Tiron) as function of pH and concentration. At equimolar concentrations of 0.05 M UO(2)(2+) and Tiron, the predominant species was found to be aqueous uranyl at pH = 2.0. At pH = 6.0, the formation of a 3:3 UO(2)(2+):Tiron trimer (proposed in earlier studies) was observed. In this structure, bidentate catecholate complexation to Tiron as well as oxygen bridging between uranyl units is detected. Th(4+) structural changes were observed both as a function of pH and Th:L (L = Tiron) ratio. At Th:L = 1:1 and pH = 1.4, a monomeric complex is observed with each Th center complexing monodentate to approximately 2 sulfonate functional groups. At pH 4.0 similar sulfonate ligation is observed along with oligomer formation. At pH 6.0 thorium hydrolysis products are detected, with little evidence for inner-sphere Tiron coordination. When the Th:L is changed to 1:2 at pH = 6.0, a stable oligomeric complex is formed that dominates the speciation for Th:L ratios up to 1:5. This complex is characterized by bidentate catechol and monodentate sulfonate ligation to Tiron along with oxygen bridging between Th(4+) atoms and is consistent with the formation of the 2:3 Th:L polymeric species proposed from earlier work. At a Th:L ratio of 1:10, Th(4+) complexation is dominated by bidentate catechol ligation and the formation of a monomeric Th(Tiron)(x) species, where x > or = 2.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

A combined theoretical and experimental study of the reaction products of laser-ablated thorium atoms with CO: first identification of the CThO, CThO(-), OthCCO, OTh(eta(3)-CCO), and Th(CO)(n) (n = 1-6) molecules.

Laser-ablated thorium atoms have been reacted with CO molecules during condensation in excess neon. Absorptions at 617.7 and 812.2 cm(-1) are assigned to Th-C and Th-O stretching vibrations of the CThO molecule. Absorptions at 2048.6, 1353.6, and 822.5 cm(-1) are assigned to the OThCCO molecule, which is formed by CO addition to CThO and photochemical rearrangement of Th(CO)(2). The OThCCO molecule undergoes further photoinduced rearrangement to OTh(eta(3)-CCO), which is characterized by C-C, C-O, and Th-O stretching vibrations at 1810.8, 1139.2, and 831.6 cm(-1). The Th(CO)(n) (n = 1-6) complexes are formed on deposition or on annealing. Evidence is also presented for the CThO(-) and Th(CO)(2)(-) anions, which are formed by electron capture of neutral molecules. Relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the geometry structures, vibrational frequencies, and infrared intensities strongly support the experimental assignments. It is found that CThO is an unprecedented actinide-containing carbene molecule with a triplet ground state and an unusual bent structure ( angleCThO = 109 degrees ). The OThCCO molecule has a bent structure while its rearranged product OTh(eta(3)-CCO) is found to have a unique exocyclic structure with side-bonded CCO group. We also find that both Th(CO)(2) and Th(CO)(2)(-) are, surprisingly, highly bent, with the angleC-Th-C bond angle being close to 50 degrees; the unusual geometries are the result of extremely strong Th-to-CO back-bonding, which causes significant three-centered bonding among the Th atom and the two C atoms.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

New hydrothermal synthesis and structure of Th2(PO4)2(HPO4).H2O: the first structurally characterized thorium Hydrogenphosphate.

Th(2)(PO(4))(2)(HPO(4)).H(2)O was synthesized under wet hydrothermal conditions starting from a mixture of H(3)PO(3) and Th(NO(3))(4).5H(2)O. The crystal structure was solved by powder X-ray diffraction data. The unit cell parameters are a = 6.7023(8) Angstroms, b = 7.0150(8) Angstroms, c = 11.184(1) Angstroms, beta = 107.242(4) degrees, space group P2(1), and Z = 2. The structure consists of layers of both thorium atoms and PO(4) groups, alternating with a layer formed by HPO(4) entities and water molecules. By thermal treatment, this compound turns into Th(4)(PO(4))(4)P(2)O(7), a ceramic already described in the field of the immobilization of tetravalent actinides.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Synthesis and characterization of two quaternary thorium chalcophosphates: Cs4Th2P6S18 and Rb7Th2P6Se21.

Two new thorium chalcophosphates have been synthesized by the reactive flux method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, diffuse reflectance, and Raman spectroscopy: Cs4Th2P6S18 (I); Rb7Th2P6Se21 (II). Compound I crystallizes as colorless blocks in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 12.303(4) A, b = 12.471(4) A, c = 12.541(4) A, alpha = 114.607(8) degrees, beta = 102.547(6) degrees, gamma = 99.889(7) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure consists of (Th2P6S18)(4-) layers separated by layers of cesium cations and only contains the (P2S6)(4-) building block. Compound II crystallizes as red blocks in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2) with a = 11.531(3) A, b = 12.359(4) A, c = 16.161(5) A, alpha = 87.289(6) degrees, beta = 75.903(6) degrees, gamma = 88.041(6) degrees, and Z = 2. The structure consists of linear chains of (Th2P6Se21)(7-) separated by rubidium cations. Compound II contains both the (PSe4)(3-) and (P2Se6)(4-) building blocks. Both structures may be derived from two known rare earth structures where a rare earth site is replaced by an alkali or actinide metal to form these novel structures. Optical band gap measurements show that compound I has a band gap of 2.8 eV and compound II has a band gap of 2.0 eV. Solid-state Raman spectroscopy of compound I shows the vibrations expected for the (P2S6)(4-) unit. Raman spectroscopy of compound II shows the vibrations expected for both (PSe4)(3-) and (P2Se6)(4-) units. Our work shows the remarkable diversity of the actinide chalcophosphate system and demonstrates the phase space is still ripe to discover new structures.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Formation and characterization of thorium methylidene CH2=ThHX complexes.

Laser-ablated thorium atoms react with methyl fluoride to give the CH2=ThHF molecule as the major product observed and trapped in solid argon. Infrared spectroscopy, isotopic substitution, and density functional theoretical frequency calculations confirm the identification of this methylidene complex. The four strongest computed absorptions (Th-H stretch, Th=C stretch, CH2 wag, and Th-F stretch) are the four vibrational modes observed. The CH2=ThHCl and CH2=ThHBr species formed from methyl chloride and methyl bromide exhibit the first three of these modes in the infrared spectra. The computed structures (B3LYP and CCSD) show considerable agostic interaction, similar to that observed for the Group 4 CH2=MHX (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) methylidene complexes, and the agostic angle and C=Th bond length decrease slightly in the CH2=ThHX series (X = F, Cl, Br).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

A new mode of reactivity for pyridine N-oxide: C-H activation with uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) bis(alkyl) complexes.

Uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) bis(alkyl) complexes of the type (C5Me5)2AnR2 (An = U, Th; R = CH3, CH2Ph) activate the sp2 and sp3 hybridized C-H bonds in pyridine N-oxide and lutidine N-oxide to produce the corresponding cyclometalated complexes, (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ONC5H4] and (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ON-2-CH2-5-CH3-C5H3]. These provide rare examples of C-H activation chemistry mediated by actinide metal centers. This chemistry is in contrast to the known oxygen atom transfer reactivity patterns of pyridine N-oxides with oxophilic metal complexes and constitutes a new mode of reactivity for pyridine N-oxides.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Metal allyl complexes with bulky ligands: stabilization of homoleptic thorium compounds, [(SiMe3)nC3H(5-n)]4Th (n = 1, 2).

Unlike the parent (C3H5)4Th that decomposes at 0 degrees C, homoleptic tetra(allyl)thorium complexes [(SiMe3)nC3H5-n]4Th (n = 1, 2) have been prepared from ThBr4(thf)4 and K[(SiMe3)nC3H5-n] that are stable up to 90 degrees C (n = 1) or 124 degrees C (n = 2). The molecules, which are fluxional on the NMR time scale, contain the first structurally authenticated Th-allyl bonds. The trimethylsilyl groups cause relatively little perturbation in the core metal-allyl geometry but markedly increase the kinetic stability of the compounds.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Thorium encapsulated caged clusters of germanium: Th@Ge(n), n = 16, 18, and 20.

We report from ab initio calculations that thorium encapsulation can be used to stabilize highly symmetric cages of germanium with 16 and 20 atoms. The lowest energy structures of these clusters are different from the recently found silicon fullerenes and are similar to clusters found in bulk metallic alloys. The binding energies of these clusters are higher compared with the values for the elemental germanium clusters of comparable sizes, and this suggests a strong possibility of their experimental realization in large quantities. Also, Th@Ge(16) has a large highest occupied-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO-LUMO) gap of 1.72 eV that makes it interesting for optoelectronic applications.

Letter↗
PubMed2000

Melting of the Earth's lithospheric mantle inferred from protactinium-thorium-uranium isotopic data

The processes responsible for the generation of partial melt in the Earth's lithospheric mantle and the movement of this melt to the Earth's surface remain enigmatic, owing to the perceived difficulties in generating large-degree partial melts at depth and in transporting small-degree melts through a static lithosphere. Here we present a method of placing constraints on melting in the lithospheric mantle using 231Pa-235U data obtained from continental basalts in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Combined with 230Th-238U data, the 231Pa-235U data allow us to constrain the source mineralogy and thus the depth of melting of these basalts. Our analysis indicates that it is possible to transport small melt fractions--of the order of 0.1%--through the lithosphere, as might result from the coalescence of melt by compaction owing to melting-induced deformation. The large observed 231Pa excesses require that the timescale of melt generation and transport within the lithosphere is small compared to the half-life of 231Pa (approximately 32.7 kyr). The 231Pa-230Th data also constrain the thorium and uranium distribution coefficients for clinopyroxene in the source regions of these basalts to be within 2% of one another, indicating that in this setting 230Th excesses are not expected during melting at depths shallower than 85 km.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

The coordination of perrhenate and pertechnetate to thorium(IV) in the presence of phosphine oxide or phosphate ligands.

A series of thorium(IV) perrhenato- and pertechnetato-complexes with P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligands have been prepared and characterised both in the solid state and in solution. Isostructural complexes of general formula [Th(MO(4))(4)(L)(4)], where M = Re or Tc and L = triethylphosphate (TEP) (2 and 7), tri-iso-butylphosphate (TiBP) (3 and 8) and tri-n-butylphosphine oxide (TBPO) (4 and 9) have been prepared from the novel starting materials [Th(ReO(4))(4)] x 4H(2)O (1) and [Th(TcO(4))(4)] x 4H(2)O (6). The reaction of or with triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in MeOH has also led to the synthesis of [Th(MO(4))(3)(TPPO)(3)(OCH(3))(HOCH(3))] (M = Re (5) or Tc (10)). While the structural characterisation of 4 and 9 has been previously described, we report for the first time the structural characterisation of 2 and 5, with a partial structural refinement of 3. Vibrational spectroscopic analysis confirms that the Tc complexes not characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction are indeed isostructural with the perrhenate complexes with the same P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligand. In all cases, monodentate coordination of the Group 7 tetraoxo anion is observed. (31)P NMR spectroscopy indicates that in all the phosphine oxide-based complexes there is one dominant solution species. For the phosphate based systems, the presence of pertechnetate appears to inhibit P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligand complexation in solution, whereas a significant proportion of each phosphate remains coordinated to Th(IV) when perrhenate is present as the counter ligand. These results give some indication as to the mechanism of pertechnetate co-extraction with tetravalent cations in the presence of tri-n-butyl phosphate in the Plutonium and Uranium Recovery by Extraction (PUREX) process.

Journal Article↗