Synthesis of bifunctional biscatecholamine chelators for uranium decorporation

New 1,3-dicarbonyl biscatecholamide ligands were synthesized to decorporate uranium for nuclear contamination. The derivatives were characterized via 1 H NMR spectroscopy, 13 C NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The complexation abilities of ligands 8a – 8d with UO 2 2+ , Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ were determined through spectrophotometric and potentiometric titrations technology. The antioxidant capacities of the ligands were assessed through DPPH antioxidant assay. Results indicated that ligands 8a – 8d are potential decorporating agents for uranyl ion (pUO 2 up to 22.41) and copper(II) ion (pCu up to 17.71) without depletion of the essential element zinc (pZn lower than 7.48).