Symmetrical 1,3-dicarbonyl biscatecholamide ligands as sequestering agents for uranyl decorporation

The synthesis of a series of new symmetrical 1,3-dicarbonyl biscatecholamide ligands CH2[COX(CH2)nCAM; X = O, NH; n = 2, 3, 4]2 [CAM = 2,3-Ph(OH)2CONH] is presented. 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR, UV–Vis, and mass spectral analyses were used to characterize the prepared derivatives. The binding abilities of the derivatives for uranyl ion were determined by UV spectrophotometry in aqueous media under neutral pH conditions. The antioxidant capacity of the derivatives were determined by DPPH antioxidant assay. Results showed that the efficiency of these chelating agents are dependent on the linker length. Ligand 5a is the best receptor and suitable for further studies.

Graphical abstractA series of uranyl ion [UO22+, U(VI)] ligands of symmetrical 1,3-dicarbonyl biscatecholamide have been synthesized. The binding abilities of the derivatives were determined by UV spectrophotometry.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide