Uranium and Uranium Compounds

Abstract

An overview of uranium and uranium compounds with an emphasis on their relevance to chemical technology is provided. Uranium and its compounds have many uses both potential and applied, examples include nuclear fuel, radiation shielding, and kinetic energy penetrators. These uses have a substantial economic impact, the aspects of which are provided. Sections are provided which illustrate the occurrence, recovery, and radiochemistry of uranium as well as the properties and preparation of uranium metal. A broad overview of uranium coordination and organometallic compounds is also provided. Drawbacks to the application of uranium and uranium compounds in many processes include the chemical reactivity of the metal and the inherent radioactivity of uranium isotopes. As such, health and safety factors which must be taken into account while working with uranium are discussed.

Depleted and Natural Uranium: Chemistry and Toxicological Effects

“…The oxides UO 2 , UO 3 , and U 3 O 8 are extremely important both industrially and in the nuclear energy cycle, and constitute a majority of the DU compounds in the military (ATSDR, 1999). Some of the preparative techniques for these compounds are outlined later (Clark et al, 1997). Uranium oxides are readily dissolved in bodily fluids, and are thus physiologically significant.…”

“…It is estimated that these impurities add less than 1% to the concentration and are therefore inconsequential from a radiological or chemical toxicity standpoint (Fulco et al, 2000) (Table 3). Decay series for the naturally occurring uranium isotopes (adapted from Clark et al, 1997). U, uranium; Th, thorium; Pa, protactinium; Ac, actinium; Tl, thallium; Fr, francium; Ra, radium; At, astatine; Bi, bismuth; Rn, radon; Po, polonium; Pb, lead.…”

“…Uranium is the fourth element in the actinide series (Clark et al, 1997), and has five oxidation states: +2, +3, +4, +5, and +6 (Lide, 1994). Among these five oxidation states, only the +4 and +6 are stable enough to be of general importance.…”

“…Aqueous solutions of uranium(III), a potent reducing agent, have been prepared and are readily air oxidized to the +4 state. Uranium(V) rapidly dissociates into both the +4 and +6 states in the presence of water or hydrolytic compounds (Clark et al, 1997). The coordination chemistry of uranium depends on a number of factors, including the oxidation state of the central metal ion, and the ligands to which it is coordinated (Table 5).…”

An Investigation on the Adiabatic Shear Bands in Depleted U-0.75 wt % Ti Alloy under Dynamic Loading

“…Pure uranium is found in three crystal phases: a low-temperature orthorhombic α-phase, a high-temperature tetragonal β-phase, and a body-centered cubic (BCC) γ-phase that exists at higher temperatures [16][17][18]. Depleted uranium has a lower amount of the fissile U-235 isotope than natural uranium and is usually alloyed to improve its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.…”