Supramolecular chemistry with uranyl tetrahalide ([UO2X4]2−) anions

Five compounds containing the uranyl tetrabromide anion ([UO2Br4]2−) have been synthesized through room temperature reactions of uranium (VI) oxyacetate with several pyridinium cations in highly acidic solutions containing Br− anions. The resulting compounds have been characterized via single-crystal X-ray diffraction and fluorescence spectroscopy. Three of these compounds exhibit both a bifurcated hydrogen bond NH⋯Br2UNH⋯Br2U and an extended “ribbon motif” of alternating organic and inorganic species.