Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 February 2011
The hydrothermal syntheses and structures of a new series of organically templated UIV materials are presented. The materials, UFO-5 (C5NH14)2(H3O)U2F13, UFO-6 (C5N2H14)2U2F12H2O and UFO-7 (C5N2H14)(H3O)U2F11, exhibit unprecedented topologies as well as represent 0-D (UFO-5), 1-D (UFO-6), and 2-D (UFO-7) phases. By systematic experimentation and utilizing a composition prism, wherein the reagents including H20 are graphically depicted. we have determined stability regions in which UFO-5, 6, and 7 can be synthesized as phase pure products. In addition, through pH measurements we observe a direct relationship between the acidity of the reaction and the dimensionality of the product. We suggest that the increased acidity facilitates condensation of the molecular uranium units in UFO-5. to produce the 1-D UFO-6 and at higher acidity the 2-D UFO-7.