Implications of the synthesis and structure of the Sr analogue of curite

The structure of the synthetic analogue of curite, Sr-2.82(H2O)(2)[(UO2)(4)O-3.82(OH)(3.18)](2) Z = 2, orthorhombic, space group Pnam, a 12.3143(7), b 12.9609(8), c 8.4053(5) A, Angstrom 1341.5(2) Angstrom(3), has been refined to an agreement index (R) of 5.30% for 1369 unique observed (\F-o\ greater than or equal to 4 sigma(F)) reflections measured using monochromatic MoK alpha X-radiation and a CCD-based detector. The crystal was synthesized from a mixture of uranyl nitrate and SrCl2 reacted at 185 degrees C for 5 days. The structure determination has demonstrated that the title compound is isostructural with the Pb uranyl oxide hydrate curite. On this basis, a complex series of Sr uranyl oxide hydrates with various Sr:U ratios, analogous to the Ph uranyl oxide hydrate minerals, may exist.