Binding modes of oxalate in UO2(oxalate) in aqueous solution studied with first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. Implications for the chelate effect.

Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations are reported for aqueous UO(2)(H(2)O)(n)(C(2)O(4)) (n = 3, 4), calling special attention to the binding modes of oxalate and the thermodynamics of the so-called chelate effect. Based on free energies from thermodynamic integration (BLYP functional), the κ(1),κ(1')-binding mode of the oxalate (with one O atom from each carboxylate coordinating) is more stable than κ(2) (2 O atoms from the same carboxylate) and κ(1) forms by 23 and 39 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The free energy of binding a fourth water ligand to UO(2)(H(2)O)(3)(κ(1)-C(2)O(4)) is computed to be low, 12 kJ mol(-1). Changes of the hydration shell about oxalate during chelate opening are discussed. Composite enthalpies and free energies, obtained from both experiment and quantum-chemical modeling, are proposed for the formation of monodentate UO(2)(H(2)O)(4)(κ(1)-C(2)O(4)). These data suggest that the largest entropy change in the overall complex formation occurs at this stage, and that the subsequent chelate closure under water release is essentially enthalpy-driven.