Uranyl chloride
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{{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]]