Optimum complexation of uranyl with amidoxime in aqueous solution under different pH levels: density functional theory calculations

This study aims to understand the complexation of uranyl with amidoxime in aqueous solution under different pH levels using density functional theory calculations. The geometries, relative stabilities of complexes, and changes in Gibbs free energies for different complexing reactions were investigated. Amidoximate ions were gradually added to the equatorial plane of uranyl to understand the complexation process. We modelled the effect of pH by varying the number of OH⁻ and H₂O ligands accompanying amidoximate ions in the equatorial plane of uranyl. The ŋ² binding motif was the most favourable form, regardless of the uranyl/amidoximate ratio and the pH level. Compared with low and high pH, neutral pH condition was more beneficial to the complexation of uranyl with amidoxime.