Uranium compounds uranyl oxalate

Uranium compounds include acetates, carbonates, halides, nitrates, oxalates, oxides, phosphates, and sulfates. In broad terms uranyl (hexavalent, VI) compounds, which exist primarily as the U02 complex ion, tend to be the most soluble. The uranous (tetravalent, IV) compounds, such as UF4, are less soluble. Uranium oxides are the least soluble [3]. 

Uranium(IV) oxalate has been prepared by the reaction of uranium(IV) chloride,sulfate, and hydroxide with a saturated solution of oxalic acid, or by the reduction of a water-soluble uranyl compound with copper, zinc, or sodium dithionite (Na2S204), followed by treatment with oxalic acid. It is prepared conveniently by the reduction of the readily available uranyl acetate 2-hydrate with sodium dithionite. 

The compound is only slightly soluble in water and dilute acids but is soluble in warm concentrated hydrochloric acid to form a dark green solution. It can be reprecipitated by cooling or by diluting such a solution. Concentrated nitric acid effects oxidation to the uranyl salt. With solutions of the alkali carbonates or hydrogen carbonates, uranium(IV) hydroxide is formed. With an excess of a solution of potassium carbonate and by atmospheric oxidation, potassium uranyl carbonate results. Uranium(IV) oxalate 6-hydrate is also soluble in solutions of alkali and ammonium oxalates to form the tetraoxalatouranate(IV)... 

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