Theoretical mechanism study of UF6 hydrolysis in the gas phase.

The mechanism of the gas-phase reaction UF 6 + H 2O --> UOF 4 + 2HF is explored using relativistic density functional theory calculations. Initially, H 2O coordinates with UF 6 to form a 1:1 complex UF 6.H 2O. Over an activation energy barrier of about 19 kcal/mol, H 2O transfers a H atom to a nearby ligand F, resulting in UF 5OH + HF. The eliminated HF or another H 2O molecule may form a hydrogen bond with UF 5OH. Starting from UF 5OH, the second HF elimination results in UOF 4. If UF 5OH is in the isolated form, UF 5OH --> UOF 4 + HF takes place over a barrier of 24 kcal/mol. If UF 5OH is hydrogen-bonded with H 2O or HF, the conversion barrier is less than 10 kcal/mol. Once formed, the unstable UOF 4 tends to associate with additional ligands and hydrogen-bonding donors. The calculated binding energies indicate the significance of such interactions, which may have profound impact on further HF eliminating reactions. The IR spectra features can be used to indicate the formation and interaction type of the intermediates and products.