Syntheses of U3O8 nanoparticles form four different uranyl complexes: Their catalytic performance for various alcohol oxidations

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.ica.2017.03.020

Two dinuclear complexes namely [(UO₂)₂(L1)₂(DMSO)₂] (1) and [(UO₂)₂(L2)₂(DMSO)₂] (2) of two Schiff base ligands 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-2-hydroxymethyl propane-1,3-diol (HL1) and 2-[(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxy-benzylidene)-amino]-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol (HL2) obtained by condensation of the aldehydes 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzaldehyde and 3, 5-dichloro salicylaldehyde with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane ammine, have been synthesized. On the other hand, when the two aldehydes were treated with uranyl nitrate two mononuclear complexes, [(UO₂)(L3)₂(DMSO)₂] (3) and [(UO₂)(L4)₂(DMSO)₂] (4), are obtained. The complexes are then heated at 800?°C in open atmosphere to obtain the U₃O₈ nanomaterials as the final product. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed to characterize the so obtained the U₃O₈ nanoparticles. Studies shows the synthesized U₃O₈ nanoparticles obtained from different complexes were different as far as morphology and size are concerned. All four different U₃O₈ nanoparticles explored as oxidising catalyst to oxidize alcohols where morphology of the nanoparticles controls the catalytic efficiency.