New supporting ligands in actinide chemistry: tetramethyltetraazaannulene complexes with thorium and uranium

We report the synthesis, characterization, and preliminary reactivity of new heteroleptic thorium and uranium complexes supported by the macrocyclic TMTAA ligand (TMTAA = Tetramethyl-tetra-aza-annulene). The dihalide complexes Th(TMTAA)Cl₂(THF)₂ (1), [UCl₂(TMTAA)]₂ (2) and U(TMTAA)I₂ (3) are further functionalized to the Cp* derivatives ThCp*(TMTAA)Cl (4), UCp*(TMTAA)Cl (5) and UCp*(TMTAA)I (6) (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienide). Compounds 4-6 are also obtained through a one-pot reaction from standard thorium(iv) and uranium(iv) starting materials, Li2TMTAA and KCp*. Complexes 1-6 function as valuable starting materials for salt metathesis chemistry. Treatment of precursors 4 or 5 with trimethylsilylmethyllithium (LiCH₂TMS) results in the new actinide TMTAA alkyl complexes ThCp*(TMTAA)(CH₂TMS) (7) and UCp*(TMTAA)(CH₂TMTS) (8), respectively. The TMTAA-derived alkyl complexes (7 and 8) show unexpected stability and are stable for several weeks at room temperature in solution and in the solid-state. Additionally, double substitution of the halide ligands in 1-3 shows a strong dependence on the nucleophile used. While weaker nucleophiles, such as amides, and more sterically demanding nucleophiles, such as Cp (Cp = cyclopenadienide), favour the formation of bis-TMTAA "sandwich" complexes [An(TMTAA)₂] (An = Th (9) and An = U (10)), the use of oxygen-functionalized ligands like the ODipp anion (Dipp = diisopropylphenyl) results in the formation of the doubly substituted species Th(ODipp)₂TMTAA (11) and U(ODipp)₂TMTAA (12). We also describe the divergent reactivity of the TMTAA ligand towards uranium(iii). Unlike the syntheses of actinide(iv) TMTAA complexes, the synthesis of a uranium(iii) TMTAA was not successful and only uranium(iv) species could be obtained.

Actinide-Pnictide (An-Pn) Bonds Spanning Non-Metal, Metalloid, and Metal Combinations (An=U, Th; Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi)

The synthesis and characterisation is presented of the compounds [An(TrenDMBS ){Pn(SiMe3 )2 }] and [An(TrenTIPS ){Pn(SiMe3 )2 }] [TrenDMBS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiMe2 But )3 , An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi; An=Th, Pn=P, As; TrenTIPS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiPri3 )3 , An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb; An=Th, Pn=P, As, Sb]. The U-Sb and Th-Sb moieties are unprecedented examples of any kind of An-Sb molecular bond, and the U-Bi bond is the first two-centre-two-electron (2c-2e) one. The Th-Bi combination was too unstable to isolate, underscoring the fragility of these linkages. However, the U-Bi complex is the heaviest 2c-2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide on a macroscopic scale under ambient conditions, and this is exceeded only by An-An pairings prepared under cryogenic matrix isolation conditions. Thermolysis and photolysis experiments suggest that the U-Pn bonds degrade by homolytic bond cleavage, whereas the more redox-robust thorium compounds engage in an acid-base/dehydrocoupling route.

Crystalline Diuranium Phosphinidiide and μ-Phosphido Complexes with Symmetric and Asymmetric UPU Cores

Reaction of [U(TrenTIPS )(PH2 )] (1, TrenTIPS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiPri3 )3 ) with C6 H5 CH2 K and [U(TrenTIPS )(THF)][BPh4 ] (2) afforded a rare diuranium parent phosphinidiide complex [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 (μ-PH)] (3). Treatment of 3 with C6 H5 CH2 K and two equivalents of benzo-15-crown-5 ether (B15C5) gave the diuranium μ-phosphido complex [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 (μ-P)][K(B15C5)2 ] (4). Alternatively, reaction of [U(TrenTIPS )(PH)][Na(12C4)2 ] (5, 12C4=12-crown-4 ether) with [U{N(CH2 CH2 NSiMe2 But )2 CH2 CH2 NSi(Me)(CH2 )(But )}] (6) produced the diuranium μ-phosphido complex [{U(TrenTIPS )}(μ-P){U(TrenDMBS )}][Na(12C4)2 ] [7, TrenDMBS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiMe2 But )3 ]. Compounds 4 and 7 are unprecedented examples of uranium phosphido complexes outside of matrix isolation studies, and they rapidly decompose in solution underscoring the paucity of uranium phosphido complexes. Interestingly, 4 and 7 feature symmetric and asymmetric UPU cores, respectively, reflecting their differing steric profiles.

Triamidoamine thorium-arsenic complexes with parent arsenide, arsinidiide and arsenido structural motifs

Despite a major expansion of uranium-ligand multiple bond chemistry in recent years, analogous complexes involving other actinides (An) remain scarce. For thorium, under ambient conditions only a few multiple bonds to carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and chalcogenides are reported, and none to arsenic are known; indeed only two complexes with thorium-arsenic single bonds have been structurally authenticated, reflecting the challenges of stabilizing polar linkages at the large thorium ion. Here, we report thorium parent-arsenide (ThAsH₂), -arsinidiides (ThAs(H)K and ThAs(H)Th) and arsenido (ThAsTh) linkages stabilized by a bulky triamidoamine ligand. The ThAs(H)K and ThAsTh linkages exhibit polarized-covalent thorium-arsenic multiple bonding interactions, hitherto restricted to cryogenic matrix isolation experiments, and the AnAs(H)An and AnAsAn linkages reported here have no precedent in f-block chemistry. 7s, 6d and 5f orbital contributions to the Th-As bonds are suggested by quantum chemical calculations, and their compositions unexpectedly appear to be tensioned differently compared to phosphorus congeners.

Terminal Uranium(V/VI) Nitride Activation of Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Disulfide: Factors Governing Diverse and Well-Defined Cleavage and Redox Reactions

The reactivity of terminal uranium(V/VI) nitrides with CE₂ (E=O, S) is presented. Well-defined C=E cleavage followed by zero-, one-, and two-electron redox events is observed. The uranium(V) nitride [U(Tren^TIPS )(N)][K(B15C5)₂ ] (1, Tren^TIPS =N(CH₂ CH₂ NSiiPr₃ )₃ ; B15C5=benzo-15-crown-5) reacts with CO₂ to give [U(Tren^TIPS )(O)(NCO)][K(B15C5)₂ ] (3), whereas the uranium(VI) nitride [U(Tren^TIPS )(N)] (2) reacts with CO₂ to give isolable [U(Tren^TIPS )(O)(NCO)] (4); complex 4 rapidly decomposes to known [U(Tren^TIPS )(O)] (5) with concomitant formation of N₂ and CO proposed, with the latter trapped as a vanadocene adduct. In contrast, 1 reacts with CS₂ to give [U(Tren^TIPS )(κ² -CS₃ )][K(B15C5)₂ ] (6), 2, and [K(B15C5)₂ ][NCS] (7), whereas 2 reacts with CS₂ to give [U(Tren^TIPS )(NCS)] (8) and "S", with the latter trapped as Ph₃ PS. Calculated reaction profiles reveal outer-sphere reactivity for uranium(V) but inner-sphere mechanisms for uranium(VI); despite the wide divergence of products the initial activation of CE₂ follows mechanistically related pathways, providing insight into the factors of uranium oxidation state, chalcogen, and NCE groups that govern the subsequent divergent redox reactions that include common one-electron reactions and a less-common two-electron redox event. Caution, we suggest, is warranted when utilising CS₂ as a reactivity surrogate for CO₂ .

Thorium copper phosphides: more diverse metal–phosphorus and phosphorus–phosphorus interactions than U analogues

Three new thorium phosphides synthesized through CuI-mediated solid-state reactions exhibit more diverse ion–ion interactions than those in U pnictides.

Preparation of a uranium metallacyclocumulene and its reactivity towards unsaturated organic molecules

Steric and electronic properties of the coordinated ligands exert a pronounced influence on the reactivity of the uranium metallacyclocumulene complexes.

Benzoquinonoid-bridged dinuclear actinide complexes

We report the coordination chemistry of benzoquinonoid-bridged dinluclear thorium(iv) and uranium(iv) complexes with the tripodal ligand tris[2-amido(2-pyridyl)ethyl]amine ligand,L.

Thorium-phosphorus triamidoamine complexes containing Th-P single- and multiple-bond interactions

Despite the burgeoning field of uranium-ligand multiple bonds, analogous complexes involving other actinides remain scarce. For thorium, under ambient conditions only a few multiple bonds to carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, selenium and tellurium are reported, and no multiple bonds to phosphorus are known, reflecting a general paucity of synthetic methodologies and also problems associated with stabilising these linkages at the large thorium ion. Here we report structurally authenticated examples of a parent thorium(IV)-phosphanide (Th-PH₂), a terminal thorium(IV)-phosphinidene (Th=PH), a parent dithorium(IV)-phosphinidiide (Th-P(H)-Th) and a discrete actinide-phosphido complex under ambient conditions (Th=P=Th). Although thorium is traditionally considered to have dominant 6d-orbital contributions to its bonding, contrasting to majority 5f-orbital character for uranium, computational analyses suggests that the bonding of thorium can be more nuanced, in terms of 5f- versus 6d-orbital composition and also significant involvement of the 7s-orbital and how this affects the balance of 5f- versus 6d-orbital bonding character.

Neptunium and plutonium complexes with a sterically encumbered triamidoamine (TREN) scaffold

The syntheses and characterisation of isostructural neptunium(iv) and plutonium(iv) complexes [An(IV)(TREN(TIPS))(Cl)] [An = Np, Pu; TREN(TIPS) = {N(CH2CH2NSiPr(i)3)3}(3-)] are reported, along with the demonstration that they are likely reduced to the corresponding neptunium(iii) and plutonium(iii) products [An(III)(TREN(TIPS))]; this chemistry provides new platforms from which to target a plethora of unprecedented molecular functionalities in transuranic chemistry and the neptunium(iv) molecule is the first structurally characterised neptunium(iv)-amide complex.

Extending Stannyl Anion Chemistry to the Actinides: Synthesis and Characterization of a Uranium-Tin Bond

We have synthesized a rare example of a uranium(IV) stannyl (κ(4)-N(CH2CH2NSi((i)Pr)3)3U(SnMe3), 1) via transmetalation with LiSnMe3. This complex has been characterized crystallographically and shown to have a U-Sn bond length of 3.3130(3) Å, substantially longer than the only other crystallographically observed U-Sn bond (3.166 Å). Computational studies suggest that the U-Sn bond in 1 is highly polarized, with significant charge transfer to the stannylate ligand. We briefly discuss plausible mechanistic scenarios for the formation of 1, which may be relevant to other transmetalation processes involving heavy main group atoms. Furthermore, we demonstrate the reducing ability of [SnMe3](-) in the absence of strongly donating ligands on U(IV).

Influence of the 5f Orbitals on the Bonding and Reactivity in Organoactinides: Experimental and Computational Studies on a Uranium Metallacyclopropene

The synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a uranium metallacyclopropene were comprehensively studied. Reduction of (η(5)-C5Me5)2UCl2 (1) with potassium graphite (KC8) in the presence of bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene (Me3SiC≡CSiMe3) allows the first stable uranium metallacyclopropene (η(5)-C5Me5)2U[η(2)-C2(SiMe3)2] (2) to be isolated. Magnetic susceptibility data confirm that 2 is a U(IV) complex, and density functional theory (DFT) studies indicate substantial 5f orbital contributions to the bonding of the metallacyclopropene U-(η(2)-C═C) moiety, leading to more covalent bonds between the (η(5)-C5Me5)2U(2+) and [η(2)-C2(SiMe3)2](2-) fragments than those in the related Th(IV) compound. Consequently, very different reactivity patterns emerge, e.g., 2 can act as a source for the (η(5)-C5Me5)2U(II) fragment when reacted with alkynes and a variety of heterounsaturated molecules such as imines, bipy, carbodiimide, organic azides, hydrazine, and azo derivatives.

Intrinsic reactivity of a uranium metallacyclopropene toward unsaturated organic molecules

A uranium metallacyclopropene shows a rich chemistry in the activation of small molecules by two electron transfer processes.

Computational Chemistry Meets Experiments for Explaining the Behavior of Bibenzyl: A Thermochemical and Spectroscopic (Infrared, Raman, and NMR) Investigation

The structure, conformational behavior, and spectroscopic parameters of bibenzyl have been investigated by a computational protocol including proper treatment of anharmonic and hindered rotor contributions. Conventional hybrid functionals overstabilize the anti conformer while low-order post-Hartree-Fock (MP2) approaches strongly favor the gauche conformer. However, inclusion of semiempirical dispersion effects in density functionals or coupled cluster post-Hartree-Fock models agree in forecasting the simultaneous presence of both conformers in the gas phase with a slightly larger stability (0.7 kcal·mol(-1)) of the gauche conformer. Addition of thermal and entropic effects finally leads to very close Gibbs free energies for both conformers and, thus, to a slight preference for the gauche form due to statistical factors (2 vs 1). The situation remains essentially the same in solution. On these grounds, perturbative vibrational computations including both electrical and mechanical anharmonicities lead to IR and Raman spectra in remarkable agreement with experiment. Full assignment of the IR spectra explains the presence of peaks from gauche or anti conformers. Comparison between computed and experimental Raman spectra confirms that both conformers are present in liquid phase, whereas the anti conformer seems to be preponderant in the solid state. Also computed NMR parameters are in good agreement with experiment.

C-H bond activation induced by thorium metallacyclopropene complexes: a combined experimental and computational study

Inter- and intramolecular C-H bond activations by thorium metallacyclopropene complexes were comprehensively studied. The reduction of [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2ThCl2 (1) with potassium graphite (KC8) in the presence of internal alkynes (PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR) yields the corresponding thorium metallacyclopropenes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2Th(η2-C2Ph(R)) (R = Ph (2), Me (3), iPr (4), C6H11 (5)). Complexes 3-5 derived from phenyl(alkyl)acetylenes are very reactive resulting in an intramolecular C-H bond activation of the 1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2 ligand. In contrast, no intramolecular C-H bond activation is observed for the diphenylacetylene derived complex 2, but it does activate α-C-H bonds in pyridine or carbonyl derivatives upon coordination. Density functional theory (DFT) studies complement the experimental studies and provide additional insights into the observed reactivity.

The Renaissance of Non-Aqueous Uranium Chemistry

Prior to the year 2000, non-aqueous uranium chemistry mainly involved metallocene and classical alkyl, amide, or alkoxide compounds as well as established carbene, imido, and oxo derivatives. Since then, there has been a resurgence of the area, and dramatic developments of supporting ligands and multiply bonded ligand types, small-molecule activation, and magnetism have been reported. This Review 1) introduces the reader to some of the specialist theories of the area, 2) covers all-important starting materials, 3) surveys contemporary ligand classes installed at uranium, including alkyl, aryl, arene, carbene, amide, imide, nitride, alkoxide, aryloxide, and oxo compounds, 4) describes advances in the area of single-molecule magnetism, and 5) summarizes the coordination and activation of small molecules, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, dinitrogen, white phosphorus, and alkanes.

Triamidoamine uranium(IV)-arsenic complexes containing one-, two- and threefold U-As bonding interactions

To further our fundamental understanding of the nature and extent of covalency in uranium-ligand bonding, and the benefits that this may have for the design of new ligands for nuclear waste separation, there is burgeoning interest in the nature of uranium complexes with soft- and multiple-bond-donor ligands. Despite this, there have so far been no examples of structurally authenticated molecular uranium-arsenic bonds under ambient conditions. Here, we report molecular uranium(IV)-arsenic complexes featuring formal single, double and triple U-As bonding interactions. Compound formulations are supported by a range of characterization techniques, and theoretical calculations suggest the presence of polarized covalent one-, two- and threefold bonding interactions between uranium and arsenic in parent arsenide [U-AsH2], terminal arsinidene [U=AsH] and arsenido [U≡AsK2] complexes, respectively. These studies inform our understanding of the bonding of actinides with soft donor ligands and may be of use in future ligand design in this area.

An Inverted-Sandwich Diuranium μ-η5:η5-Cyclo-P5 Complex Supported by U-P5 δ-Bonding

Reaction of [U(TrenTIPS)] [1, TrenTIPS=N(CH2CH2NSiiPr3)3] with 0.25 equivalents of P4 reproducibly affords the unprecedented actinide inverted sandwich cyclo-P5 complex [{U(TrenTIPS)}2(μ-η5:η5-cyclo-P5)] (2). All prior examples of cyclo-P5 are stabilized by d-block metals, so 2 shows that cyclo-P5 does not require d-block ions to be prepared. Although cyclo-P5 is isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, which usually bonds to metals via σ- and π-interactions with minimal δ-bonding, theoretical calculations suggest the principal bonding in the U(P5)U unit is polarized δ-bonding. Surprisingly, the characterization data are overall consistent with charge transfer from uranium to the cyclo-P5 unit to give a cyclo-P5 charge state that approximates to a dianionic formulation. This is ascribed to the larger size and superior acceptor character of cyclo-P5 compared to cyclopentadienyl, the strongly reducing nature of uranium(III), and the availability of uranium δ-symmetry 5f orbitals.

Uranium triamidoamine chemistry

Triamidoamine (Tren) complexes of the p- and d-block elements have been well-studied, and they display a diverse array of chemistry of academic, industrial and biological significance. Such in-depth investigations are not as widespread for Tren complexes of uranium, despite the general drive to better understand the chemical behaviour of uranium by virtue of its fundamental position within the nuclear sector. However, the chemistry of Tren-uranium complexes is characterised by the ability to stabilise otherwise reactive, multiply bonded main group donor atom ligands, construct uranium-metal bonds, promote small molecule activation, and support single molecule magnetism, all of which exploit the steric, electronic, thermodynamic and kinetic features of the Tren ligand system. This Feature Article presents a current account of the chemistry of Tren-uranium complexes.

An Inverted-Sandwich Diuranium μ-η(5):η(5)-Cyclo-P5 Complex Supported by U-P5 δ-Bonding

Reaction of [U(Tren^TIPS)] [1, Tren^TIPS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiiPr₃)₃] with 0.25 equivalents of P₄ reproducibly affords the unprecedented actinide inverted sandwich cyclo-P₅ complex [{U(Tren^TIPS)}₂(μ-η⁵:η⁵-cyclo-P₅)] (2). All prior examples of cyclo-P₅ are stabilized by d-block metals, so 2 shows that cyclo-P₅ does not require d-block ions to be prepared. Although cyclo-P₅ is isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, which usually bonds to metals via σ- and π-interactions with minimal δ-bonding, theoretical calculations suggest the principal bonding in the U(P₅)U unit is polarized δ-bonding. Surprisingly, the characterization data are overall consistent with charge transfer from uranium to the cyclo-P₅ unit to give a cyclo-P₅ charge state that approximates to a dianionic formulation. This is ascribed to the larger size and superior acceptor character of cyclo-P₅ compared to cyclopentadienyl, the strongly reducing nature of uranium(III), and the availability of uranium δ-symmetry 5f orbitals.

A thorium metallacyclopentadiene complex: a combined experimental and computational study

The first thorium metallacyclopentadiene complex was prepared and its reactivity was investigated.

Achievements in uranium alkyl chemistry: celebrating sixty years of synthetic pursuits

This Perspective highlights the synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of significant organouranium complexes with σ-bonded alkyl ligands.

A tripodal benzylene-linked trisamidophosphine ligand scaffold: synthesis and coordination chemistry with group(IV) metals

A new tripodal trisamidophosphine ligand (1) based on the trisbenzylphosphine backbone has been synthesized in three steps starting from NaPH2 and phthaloyl-protected 2-aminobenzyl bromide. At elevated temperatures, 1 reacts directly with M(NMe2)4 (M = Zr, Hf) to afford the dimethylamido complexes [PN3]M(NMe2) (M = Zr, Hf) (2), which are easily converted into the corresponding triflates [PN3]MOTf (M = Zr, Hf) (3) via reaction with triethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate. The related titanium chloro complex [PN3]TiCl (4-Ti) is obtained from 1 and Bn3TiCl via protonolysis. Triple deprotonation of 1 with n-butyllithium affords the tris-lithium salt Li3[PN3] (1-Li), which serves as a common starting material for the preparation of all the group(IV) chlorides [PN3]MCl (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) (4). Upon treatment of 4-Ti with Bn2Mg(thf)2, formation of a benzyltitanium species is observed, which is converted cleanly into a ligand-CH-activated species (5-Ti).