Layered metal uranyl phosphates. Retention of divalent ions by amine intercalates of uranyl phosphates

Abstract

HUO2PO4·4H2O (HUP) forms a laminar intercalate with butylamine, c = 29.30(5) å, which accepts cationic metals in exchange for the n-butylammonium ions. Hydrated uranyl metal phosphates M(UO2PO4)2· nH2O (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) are obtained by ionic exchange and were studied by thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction. The tetragonal structures of all these product compounds are derived from HUP. The diffuse electronic reflectance spectra of every sample show characteristic UO2+2 absorption bands. In the spectra of the Co, Ni, and Cu phosphates there are other bands in the 500-800 nm zone compatible with their observed aquocation transitions.