Uranyl chloride 4354619 220930541 2008-06-22T07:34:31Z Eschenmoser 6883584 interwiki {{Chembox new | Name = Uranyl chloride | ImageFile = Uranyl chloride.jpg <!-- | ImageSize = 200px --> | ImageName = Uranyl chloride | IUPACName = Dichlorodioxouranium | OtherNames = Uranium(VI), dichlorodioxy | Section2 = {{Chembox Properties | Formula = UO<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub> | MolarMass = 340.90 | Solvent = other solvents | SolubleOther = 320 @ 18C | MeltingPt = Decomposes | BoilingPt = Decomposes}} | Section7 = {{Chembox Hazards | ExternalMSDS = [http://ibilabs.com/URANYL%20CHLORIDE-MSDS.htm External MSDS]}} }} '''Uranyl chloride''', UO<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub> is an unstable, bright yellow coloured chemical compound of [[uranium]]. It forms large sand-like crystals which are highly soluble in [[water]], [[alcohol]]s and [[ether]]s. Uranyl chloride, and its two [[hydrate]]s (UO<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>·H<sub>2</sub>0 and UO<sub>2</sub>Cl<sub>2</sub>·3H<sub>2</sub>0) decomposes in the presence of light, a fact discovered by [[Adolph Gehlen]] in 1804, This [[photosensitive|photosensitivity]] periodically attracted scientific curiosity and various unsuccessful attempts to develop [[photography|photographic]] applications using the salts. As with most other uranic species this compound also exhibits [[fluorescence]]. Uranyl chloride is formed when [[chlorine]] gas is passed over [[uranium dioxide]] at a red heat. However it is more usually obtained by dissolving [[uranium oxide]] in [[hydrochloric acid]] and evaporating. ==Industrial importance== The company '''Indian Rare Earths Limited''' (IREL) has developed a process to extract uranium from the Western and Eastern coastal dune sands of [[India]]. After pre-processing with high intensity magnetic separators and fine grinding, the mineral [[sand]]s (known as [[monazite]]), are digested with [[caustic soda]] at about 120C and water. The hydroxide concentrate is further digested with concentrated [[hydrochloric acid]] to solubilise all hydroxides to form a feed solution composed of chlorides of uranium and other [[rare earth element]]s including [[thorium]]. The solution is subjected to solvent extraction with dual solvent systems to produce uranyl chloride and [[thorium oxalate]]. The crude uranyl chloride solution is subsequently refined to nuclear grade [[ammonium diuranate]] by a purification process involving [[Precipitation (chemistry)|precipitation]] and [[solvent extraction]] in a nitrate media. ==Health and environmental== Uranyl chloride is spectacularly [[toxic]] by inhalation and if swallowed. There is also a danger of cumulative effects. The target organs are the [[liver]] and [[kidney]]s. It is toxic to aquatic organisms, and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment. As with all compounds of uranium it is [[radioactive]] to a degree dependent on its [[isotope|isotopic ratio]]s. ==External links== *[http://www.npcil.nic.in/nupower_vol18_2_3/pg081-83.pdf Recovery of Nuclear Materials from Monazite] *[http://www.chemcases.com/nuclear/nc-06.htm Nuclear Chemistry] ==References== {{Citationstyle|date=September 2007}} {{reflist}} *''Uranium'', Volume V27, Page 788 of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica *''Lanthanides & Actinides'', Four Lectures in 2<sup>nd</sup> Year Inorganic Chemistry, S.J. Heyes, Oxford, 1997-8 [[Category:Uranyl compounds]] [[Category:Chlorides]] [[de:Uranylchlorid]]