VISIBLE AND NEAR-IR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF URANIUM(IV) OXYCHLORIDE IN A MGCL2-KCL MELT

Visible and near-IR spectra of a uranium(IV) oxychloride species in molten MgCl2-KCl have been recorded in the absence of interference from UCl62-. Reaction of this species with CCl4 in the melts gives the spectra corresponding to uranium(IV) chloride complex. The temperature variation experiment demonstrates the low volatility and high stability of the oxychloride species in the MgCl2-KCl (50-50 mol %) melt. The enhanced stability of oxychloride species in the melts as compared with the solid UOCl2 can be attributed to the coordination effect.