Sexavalent compounds of uranium—I: Uranyl alkoxides and uranium hexa-alkoxides

Abstract The preparation of uranyl alkoxides was complicated by either the insoluble nature of these compounds or their tendency to disproportionate. Insoluble uranyl methoxide, UO 2 (OMe) 2 , MeOH was obtained from the reaction involving uranyl chloride and methanolic lithium methoxide. Uranyl ethoxide UO 2 (OEt) 2 , 2EtOH was obtained similarly. Uranyl iso-amyloxide was obtained by the action of iso-amyl alcohol and ammonia on either uranyl chloride or dipyridinium uranyl chloride. The action of various alcohols on uranyl methoxide was studied and in some cases (mainly secondary and tertiary alcohols) a remarkable disproportionation occurred with the ultimate formation of uranium hexa-alkoxide U(OR) 6 . Some properties of the hexa-alkoxides are described. The hexa-t-butoxide is remarkably resistant to hydrolysis.