U2F10成键特性与红外光谱研究

Study on Bonding Characteristics and Infrared Spectra of U2F10

  • 摘要: 为准确掌握U2F10分子结构及化学行为,采用标量相对论量子化学计算与低温基质隔离红外光谱实验相结合的方法,研究了U2F10的成键特性与振动光谱。理论计算采用B3LYP-D3(BJ)方法,U原子使用ECP60MDF赝势,F原子采用def2-TZVP基组,通过波函数稳定性分析与多自旋态优化确定基态构型,并开展Mayer键级、自然布居分析(NPA)和电子定域化函数(ELF)等分析。实验通过脉冲Nd:YAG激光(1 064 nm、约22 mJ)烧蚀金属铀靶,与0.05%~1.0% F2-Ne混合气体的反应产物在3.2 K氖基质中共沉积捕获产物并记录其红外光谱(分辨率为0.5 cm−1),并考察退火(5.0~10.0 K)过程的光谱变化。研究结果表明:U2F10二聚体具有D2h对称性的稳定双氟桥结构(U-Fbri键长为2.296 Å,键级约为0.4),U-U之间无成键作用;端基U-Fend键呈强离子性(键级约为1.1,NPA电荷U为+2.94e,Fend电荷约为–0.58e),而桥氟原子承载更高电子密度(Fbri电荷为–0.66e);热力学分析表明UF5二聚化为强放热过程(ΔH = –39.5 kcal/mol,4 K),U2可逐步氟化至稳定的U2F10;U2F10的4个红外吸收带(630.2、614.4、581.1、554.1 cm–1)与理论振动频率高度吻合(偏差4.6~7.8 cm–1)。本研究明确了U2F10的桥连结构、弱键稳定机制及强离子端键特征,揭示了其作为UF5聚合关键中间体的结构基础与转化规律,为理解分子激光同位素分离(MLIS)过程中UF5聚结行为及铀转化工艺进一步优化提供了分子层面的理论基础。

     

    Abstract: U2F10 is an important intermediate in molecular laser isotope separation (MLIS), where the polymerization of UF5 significantly affects the process efficiency. The molecular structure, bonding characteristics, and vibrational properties of U2F10 were systematically investigated by scalar relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with low-temperature matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations were performed using the B3LYP-D3(BJ) method in Gaussian 16, with the ECP60MDF pseudopotential and def2-TZVP basis set adopted for uranium and fluorine, respectively. Considering the open-shell nature of U2F10, multiple spin states were optimized to determine the ground-state configuration, and wavefunction stability analyses were conducted for all optimized structures. Bonding characteristics were elucidated through wavefunction analyses including Mayer bond order, natural population analysis (NPA), electron localization function (ELF), and localized orbital locator (LOL). Experimentally, U2F10 was generated by pulsed Nd:YAG laser (1 064 nm) ablation of a uranium target in an F2/Ne gas mixture (0.05%-1.0%) and codeposited in a neon matrix at 3.2 K. A high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was used to record the spectra of the sample before and after controlled annealing (5.0-10.0 K). Theoretical calculation results show that U2F10 adopts a D2h symmetric structure stabilized by two fluorine bridges (U-Fbri bond length of 2.296 Å) without direct U-U bonding. The terminal U-Fend bonds exhibit strong ionic character (bond order is 1.1; NPA charges: U = +2.94e, Fend ≈ –0.58e), whereas the bridging U-Fbri bonds are weaker (bond order is 0.4) but crucial for dimer stability, with the bridging fluorine atoms accumulating higher electron density (NPA charge: Fbri = –0.66e). Thermodynamic analysis confirms that the dimerization of UF5 to form U2F10 is a highly exothermic process (ΔH = –39.5 kcal/mol at 4 K). Meanwhile, the stepwise fluorination of U2 by F2 exhibit very strong exothermicity (for example, the formation of U2F2 has ΔH = –274 kcal/mol). Four experimentally observed absorption bands at 630.2, 614.4, 581.1, and 554.1 cm−1 in neon matrix—exhibiting synchronous intensity changes during annealing and fluorination—were unambiguously assigned to U2F10 vibrations, aligning with theoretical modes with minor matrix shifts (ΔNe-calcd = 4.6-7.8 cm−1). This study experimentally identifies the gaseous U2F10 for the first time, resolving its structure, ionic bonding characteristics, and spectral features, thereby filling the critical long-standing knowledge gap. The results establish a molecular-level understanding of the stability of the UF5 dimer and the reactivity of U2F10, providing key insights for optimizing the molecule laser isotope separation (MLIS) efficiency and the uranium conversion mechanisms for the nuclear fuel cycle.

     

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