UO2Cl2(OPPh3)2 is a useful starting material for the preparation of other anhydrous uranyl compounds via ligand replacement. The product has been obtained by treating UO2Cl2 with OPPh3 in anhydrous ethanol. In turn, UO2Cl2 is prepared by heating UCl4 with oxygen at 300-350 °C. The method described here is very appropriate for teaching some aspects of uranium chemistry in the inorganic chemistry lab. It involves the transformation of uranyl acetate into the chloride and is based on the capability of OPPh3 to displace water and on the low solubility of the product in acetone.
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Citation
Arn‡iz, Francisco J.; Miranda, Mariano J. J. Chem. Educ.1998 75 1457.
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