Structure of [UO₂Cl₄]^2- in Acetonitrile

The complex formation of uranyl UO₂ ²⁺ with chloride ions in acetonitrile was studied by UV-vis and U L_III EXAFS spectroscopy.
The investigations unambiguously point to the existence of a [UO₂Cl₄]^2- species in solution with D_4h symmetry. The distances in the U(VI) coordination sphere are U-O_ax ) 1.77 ± 0.01 Å and U-Cl ) 2.68 ± 0.01 Å.