Sequestering agent for uranyl chelation: a new family of CAMS ligands

The synthesis of new dipodal bis-sulfocatecholamide uranophiles is presented. Their binding abilities for uranyl cation were determined by UV spectrophotometry in aqueous media under various pH conditions and further studied by 1H NMR analysis of the resonance signal of both aromatic protons of the sulfocatecholamide groups. The results showed that the efficiency of these hydrosoluble chelating agents depends on the nature of the spacers. Each ligand shows a more or less pronounced affinity for uranium. The best receptor is the ligand CYCAMS 5d obtained as a mixture of cis/trans isomers, which achieves the best compromise between rigidity and steric hindrance.