title: An open-framework thorium sulfate hydrate with 11.5 A voids.
abstract: We report the synthesis of a thorium sulfate hydrate with 11.5 A open channels that propagate through the structure. The compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4(2)/nmc, a = b = 25.890(4) A, c = 9.080(2) A, Z = 8, V = 6086.3(2) A(3). The thermal stability of the compound was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis and high-energy X-ray scattering (HEXS) revealing that the compound begins to undergo decomposition near 200 degrees C with an accompanied loss in crystallinity. The immediate coordination environment about the thorium atoms remains intact through heating to 500 degrees C as demonstrated by HEXS. Further heating reveals the formation of at least two crystalline phases, Th(SO4)2 and ThO2, which ultimately decompose to ThO2.
authors.affiliation: Heavy Elements and Separations Sciences Group, Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA. rewilson@anl.gov
authors.forename: Richard E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skanthakumar
authors.forename: Karah E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Knope
authors.forename: Christopher L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Soderholm