X-ray absorption spectroscopy of tricarbonatodioxouranate(V), [UO2(CO3)3](super 5-), in aqueous solution

Cyclic voltammetry of tricarbonatodioxouranate(V), [UO2(CO3)3](super 5-) in aqueous solution showed that the analogous U couple in the compound is irreversible, indicating significant conformational change on one-electron reduction of [UO2(CO3)3](super 4-). Extended x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy was used to define the coordination geometry of the reduced species and showed that both axial and equatorial U-O distances increase on reduction. The basic geometry of the U complex was apparently unaltered by reduction.