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Liddle ST. Progress in Nonaqueous Molecular Uranium Chemistry: Where to Next? Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9366-9384. [PMID: 38739898 PMCID: PMC11134516 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c04533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
There is long-standing interest in nonaqueous uranium chemistry because of fundamental questions about uranium's variable chemical bonding and the similarities of this pseudo-Group 6 element to its congener d-block elements molybdenum and tungsten. To provide historical context, with reference to a conference presentation slide presented around 1988 that advanced a defining collection of top targets, and the challenge, for synthetic actinide chemistry to realize in isolable complexes under normal experimental conditions, this Viewpoint surveys progress against those targets, including (i) CO and related π-acid ligand complexes, (ii) alkylidenes, carbynes, and carbidos, (iii) imidos and terminal nitrides, (iv) homoleptic polyalkyls, -alkoxides, and -aryloxides, (v) uranium-uranium bonds, and (vi) examples of topics that can be regarded as branching out in parallel from the leading targets. Having summarized advances from the past four decades, opportunities to build on that progress, and hence possible future directions for the field, are highlighted. The wealth and diversity of uranium chemistry that is described emphasizes the importance of ligand-metal complementarity in developing exciting new chemistry that builds our knowledge and understanding of elements in a relativistic regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen T. Liddle
- Department of Chemistry and Centre
for Radiochemistry Research, The University
of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
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2
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Dan X, Du J, Zhang S, Seed JA, Perfetti M, Tuna F, Wooles AJ, Liddle ST. Arene-, Chlorido-, and Imido-Uranium Bis- and Tris(boryloxide) Complexes. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9588-9601. [PMID: 38557081 PMCID: PMC11134490 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c04275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
We introduce the boryloxide ligand {(HCNDipp)2BO}- (NBODipp, Dipp = 2,6-di-isopropylphenyl) to actinide chemistry. Protonolysis of [U{N(SiMe3)2}3] with 3 equiv of NBODippH produced the uranium(III) tris(boryloxide) complex [U(NBODipp)3] (1). In contrast, treatment of UCl4 with 3 equiv of NBODippK in THF at room temperature or reflux conditions produced only [U(NBODipp)2(Cl)2(THF)2] (2) with 1 equiv of NBODippK remaining unreacted. However, refluxing the mixture of 2 and unreacted NBODippK in toluene instead of THF afforded the target complex [U(NBODipp)3(Cl)(THF)] (3). Two-electron oxidation of 1 with AdN3 (Ad = 1-adamantyl) afforded the uranium(V)-imido complex [U(NBODipp)3(NAd)] (4). The solid-state structure of 1 reveals a uranium-arene bonding motif, and structural, spectroscopic, and DFT calculations all suggest modest uranium-arene δ-back-bonding with approximately equal donation into the arene π4 and π5 δ-symmetry π* molecular orbitals. Complex 4 exhibits a short uranium(V)-imido distance, and computational modeling enabled its electronic structure to be compared to related uranium-imido and uranium-oxo complexes, revealing a substantial 5f-orbital crystal field splitting and extensive mixing of 5f |ml,ms⟩ states and mj projections. Complexes 1-4 have been variously characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, 1H NMR, IR, UV/vis/NIR, and EPR spectroscopies, SQUID magnetometry, elemental analysis, and CONDON, F-shell, DFT, NLMO, and QTAIM crystal field and quantum chemical calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhang Dan
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Jingzhen Du
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Shuhan Zhang
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - John A. Seed
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Mauro Perfetti
- Department
of Chemistry Ugo Schiff, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Floriana Tuna
- Department
of Chemistry and Photon Science Institute, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom
| | - Ashley J. Wooles
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
| | - Stephen T. Liddle
- Department
of Chemistry and Centre for Radiochemistry Research, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United
Kingdom
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Modder DK, Scopelliti R, Mazzanti M. Accessing a Highly Reducing Uranium(III) Complex through Cyclometalation. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9527-9538. [PMID: 38217471 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
U(IV) cyclometalated complexes have shown rich reactivity, but their low oxidation state analogues still remain rare. Herein, we report the isolation of [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][UIII{N(SiMe3)2}2(κ2-C,N-CH2SiMe2NSiMe3)], 1, from the reduction of [UIII{N(SiMe)2}3] with KC8 and 2.2.2-cryptand at room temperature. Cyclic voltammetry studies demonstrate that 1 has a reduction potential similar to that of the previously reported [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][UII{N(SiMe)2}3] (Epc = -2.6 V versus Fc+/0 and Epc = -2.8 V versus Fc+/0, respectively). Complex 1, indeed, shows similar reducing abilities upon reactions with 4,4'-bipyridine, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 1-azidoadamantane. Interestingly, 1 was also found to be the first example of a mononuclear U(III) complex that is capable of reducing pyridine. In addition, it is shown that a wide variety of substrates can be inserted into the U-C bond, forming new U(III) metallacycles. These results highlight that cyclometalated U(III) complexes can serve as versatile precursors for a broad range of reactivity and for assembling a variety of novel chemical architectures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieuwertje K Modder
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rosario Scopelliti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marinella Mazzanti
- Group of Coordination Chemistry, Institut des Sciences et Ingénierie Chimiques, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Li T, Heng Y, Wang D, Hou G, Zi G, Ding W, Walter MD. Uranium versus Thorium: A Case Study on a Base-Free Terminal Uranium Imido Metallocene. Inorg Chem 2024; 63:9487-9510. [PMID: 38048266 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.3c03356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
The structure of and bonding in two base-free terminal actinide imido metallocenes, [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2An═N(p-tolyl) (An = U (1), Th (1')) are compared and connected to their individual reactivity. While structurally rather similar, the U(IV) derivative 1 is slightly more sterically crowded. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) studies imply that the 5f orbital contribution to the bonding within the individual actinide imido An═N(p-tolyl) moieties is significantly larger for 1 than for 1', which makes the bonds between the [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U2+ and [(p-tolyl)N]2- fragments more covalent. Therefore, steric and electronic factors impact the reactivity of these imido complexes. For example, complex 1 is inert toward internal alkynes, but it readily forms Lewis base adducts [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U═N(p-tolyl)(L) (L = OPMe3 (6), dmap (9), PhCN (14), and 2,6-Me2PhNC (17)) with Me3PO, 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap), nitrile, PhCN, or isonitrile 2,6-Me2PhNC. It may also react as a nucleophile or undergo a [2 + 2] cycloaddition with CS2, isothiocyanates, thio-ketones, ketones, lactides, and acyl nitriles, forming the four- or five-membered metallaheteroacycles, terminal sulfido, or oxido complexes, and cyanide amidate complexes, respectively. In contrast, after the addition of aldehyde p-tolylCHO, the tetranuclear complex [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]4[OCH(p-tolyl)CH(p-tolyl)O]2U4O4 (10) is isolated. However, while 1 is unreactive toward dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), an equilibrium exists in benzene solution between N,N'-diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC), 1, and the four-membered metallaheterocycle [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U[N(p-tolyl)C(═NiPr)N(iPr)] (12). Furthermore, 1 may also engage in single- and two-electron transfer processes. It is singly oxidized by Ph3CN3, CuI, Ph2S2, and Ph2Se2, yielding the uranium(V) imido complexes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U═N(p-tolyl)(X) (X = N3 (20), I (22), PhS (23), and PhSe (24)), or is doubly oxidized by organic azides (RN3) and 9-diazofluorene, forming the uranium(VI) bis-imido metallocenes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U═N(p-tolyl)(=NR) (R = p-tolyl (18), mesityl (19)) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3C)3C5H2]2U=N(p-tolyl)[=NN=(9-C13H8)] (21), respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yi Heng
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Dongwei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guohua Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guofu Zi
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wanjian Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Marc D Walter
- Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Li T, Wang D, Heng Y, Hou G, Zi G, Walter MD. Reactivity of a Lewis base-supported uranium terminal imido metallocene towards small molecules. Dalton Trans 2023; 52:13618-13630. [PMID: 37698550 DOI: 10.1039/d3dt02165c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The Lewis base-supported uranium terminal imido metallocene [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UN(p-tolyl)(dmap) (1) readily reacts with various small molecules such as internal alkynes, isothiocyanates, thioketones, amidates, organic nitriles and imines, chlorosilanes, copper iodide, diphenyl disulfide, organic azides and diazoalkane derivatives. For example, treatment of 1 with PhCCCCPh and PhNCS forms metallaheterocycles originating from a [2 + 2] cycloaddition to yield [η5-1-(p-tolyl)NC(Ph)CHCC(Ph)CH2Si(Me)2-2,4-(Me3Si)2C5H2][η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]U (2) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U[N(p-tolyl)C(NPh)S](dmap) (3), respectively. The reaction of 1 with the thioketone Ph2CS forms the known uranium sulfido complex [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2US(dmap) (4), which reacts with a second molecule of Ph2CS to give the disulfido compound [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U(S2CPh2) (5). The imido moiety also promotes deprotonation reactions as illustrated in the reactions with the amide PhCONH(p-tolyl), the nitrile PhCH2CN and the imine (p-tolyl)2CNH to form the bis-amidate [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U[OC(Ph)N(p-tolyl)]2 (7), and the iminato complexes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U[N(p-tolyl)C(CH2Ph)NH](NCCHPh) (8) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U[NH(p-tolyl)][NC(p-tolyl)2] (9), respectively. Addition of PhSiH2Cl to 1 yields [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U(Cl)[N(p-tolyl)SiH2Ph] (10). In contrast, the uranium(V) imido complexes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UN(p-tolyl)(I) (11) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UN(p-tolyl)(SPh) (12), may be isolated upon addition of CuI or Ph2S2 to 1, respectively. Uranium(VI) bis-imido metallocenes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UN(p-tolyl)(NR) (R = p-tolyl (13), mesityl (14)) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UN(p-tolyl)[NN(9-C13H8)] (15) are accessible from 1 on exposure to RN3 (R = p-tolyl, mesityl) and 9-diazofluorene, respectively. Complexes 2, 3, 5, and 7-15 were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and, in addition, compounds 2, 3, 5, and 7-13 were structurally authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Dongwei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Yi Heng
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Guohua Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Guofu Zi
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Marc D Walter
- Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Li T, Wang D, Heng Y, Hou G, Zi G, Ding W, Walter MD. A Comprehensive Study Concerning the Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Terminal Uranium Oxido, Sulfido, and Selenido Metallocenes. J Am Chem Soc 2023. [PMID: 37376858 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c03753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Terminal uranium oxido, sulfido, and selenido metallocenes were synthesized, and their reactivity was comprehensively studied. Heating of an equimolar mixture of [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2UMe2 (2) and [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U(NH-p-tolyl)2 (3) in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap) in refluxing toluene forms [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U═N(p-tolyl)(dmap) (4), which is a useful precursor for the preparation of the terminal uranium oxido, sulfido, and selenido metallocenes [η5-1,2,4-(Me3Si)3C5H2]2U═E(dmap) (E = O (5), S (6), Se (7)) employing a cycloaddition-elimination methodology with Ph2C═E (E = O, S) or (p-MeOPh)2CSe, respectively. Metallocenes 5-7 are inert toward alkynes, but they act as nucleophiles in the presence of alkylsilyl halides. The oxido and sulfido metallocenes 5 and 6 undergo [2 + 2] cycloadditions with isothiocyanate PhNCS or CS2, while the selenido derivative 7 does not. The experimental studies are complemented by density functional theory (DFT) computations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Dongwei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yi Heng
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guohua Hou
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Guofu Zi
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wanjian Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Marc D Walter
- Institut für Anorganische und Analytische Chemie, Technische Universitüt Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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