Photochemistry of uranium compounds

The solution photochemistry of the actinides begins with uranium none has been reported for actinium, thorium, and protactinium. Spectra have been obtained for most of the actinide ions through curium in solution (5). Most studies in actinide photochemistry have been done on uranyl compounds, largely to elucidate the nature of the excited electronic states of the uranyl ion and the details of the mechanisms of its photochemical reactions (5a). Some studies have also been done on the photochemistry of neptunium (6) and plutonium (7). Although not all of these studies are directed specifically toward separations, the chemistry they describe may be applicable. 

Miller, S. S. DeFord, D. D. Marks, T. J. Weitz, E. "Infrared Photochemistry of a Volatile Uranium Compound... 

Successively Marks and co-workers extended photochemistry into series of tris (cyclopentadienyl) uranium hydrocarbyls. Photolysis of the compounds (C H ) UR (R CH j i-C Hy, n-C H ) always forms U(C5H ) but considerably larger quantities of alkane are produced than in the case of olefins. The yields of olefin production sec-butyl>isopropyl>n-butyl, indicate a decreasing tendency toward jj -hydrogen elimination paralleling the decreased steric congestion. Substantial H incorporation in the alkane was observed indicating that the cyclopentadienyl ligands and sol-... 

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