uranyl acetate

Uranyl acetate is the acetate salt of uranium oxide, a toxic yellow-green powder useful in certain laboratory tests. Structurally, it is a coordination polymer with formula UO₂(CH₃CO₂)₂(H₂O)·H₂O.

Structure

left, 260px, Structure (from X-ray crystallography) of uranyl acetate dihydrate. Color code: red = O, gray = C, blue = U.
In the polymer, uranyl (UO₂²⁺) centers are bridged by acetate ligands. The remainder of each (heptacoordinate) coordination sphere is provided by an aquo ligand and a bidentate acetate ligand. One water of crystallization occupies the lattice.

Uranyl carboxylates are known for diverse carboxylic acids (formate, butyrate, acrylate).

Uses

Uranyl acetate is extensively used as a negative stain in electron microscopy."Negative Staining"
University of Oxford Most procedures in electron microscopy for biology require the use of uranyl acetate. Negative staining protocols typically treat the sample with 1% to 5% aqueous solution. Uranyl acetate staining is simple and quick to perform and one can examine the sample within a few minutes after staining. Some biological samples are not amenable to uranyl acetate staining and, in these cases, alternative staining techniques and or low-voltage electron microscopy technique may be more suitable.

1% and 2% uranyl acetate solutions are used as an indicator, and a titrant in stronger concentrations in analytical chemistry, as it forms an insoluble salt with sodium (the vast majority of sodium salts are water-soluble). Uranyl acetate solutions show evidence of being sensitive to light, especially UV, and will precipitate if exposed.

Uranyl acetate is also used in a standard test—American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Designation T 299—for alkali-silica reactivity in aggregates (crushed stone or gravel) being considered for use in cement concrete.

Uranyl acetate dihydrate has been used as a starting reagent in experimental inorganic chemistry.

Preparation and reactions

The compound can be prepared by treating uranium trioxide with acetic acid:
:

The acetate ligands of uranyl acetate can be replaced to give a variety of uranyl complexes. Uranyl acetate can also be reduced by zinc to give the uranium(IV) acetate (U(OAc)₄).

Safety

In general, uranium salts exhibit nephrotoxicity. Normal commercial stocks from depleted uranium have typical specific activity , too weak to harm from outside the body."Health Safety & Wellbeing. Uranyl acetate and uranyl nitrate"
Monash University However, uranyl acetate is very toxic if ingested, inhaled as dust, or absorbed through cut or abraded skin.

Microbiologists have developed a number of alternative stains: neodymium acetate, platinum blue, hafnium chloride, and oolong tea extracts.He X, Liu B (2017) Oolong tea extract as a substitute for uranyl acetate in staining of ultrathin sections based on examples of animal tissues for transmission electron microscopy. J Microsc 267:27–33

References

{{Acetates

Electron microscopy stains
Uranyl compounds
Nuclear materials
Acetates