Linear HThThH: a candidate for a Th-Th triple bond

f-Block hydride complexes - synthesis, structure and reactivity

Complexes formed between the heaviest and lightest elements in the periodic table yield the f-block hydrides, a unique class of compounds with wide-ranging utility and interest, from catalysis to light-responsive materials and nuclear waste storage. Recent developments in syntheses and analytics, such as exploiting low-oxidation state metal ions and improvements in X-ray diffraction tools, have transformed our ability to understand, access and manipulate these important species. This perspective brings together insights from binary metal hydrides, with molecular solution phase studies on heteroleptic complexes and gas phase investigations. It aims to provide an overview of how the f-element influences hydride formation, structure and reactivity including the sometimes-surprising power of co-ligands to tune their behaviour towards a variety of applications.

Stability and chemical bonding in a series of inverse sandwich actinide boride clusters (An2B8) with δ bonding

An inverse sandwich structure has been computationally predicted for uranium boride and extended to the series of actinide elements (An) from Th to Cm. The electronic structure and chemical bonding of these novel compounds have been analyzed using density functional theory and multireference wave-function based methods. We report the trends in electronic structure and bonding for An2B8, and found that (d-π)π and (d-p)δ are the most important factors in the stability of An2B8. The (f-p)δ bond provides extra stabilization for Pa2B8 and U2B8, owing to the extensive interactions of An-B8-An, resulting in a short distance for the Pa-Pa and U-U bonds.

Unraveling actinide-actinide bonding in fullerene cages: a DFT versus ab initio methodological study

Actinide-actinide bonding poses a challenge for both experimental and theoretical chemists because of both the scarcity of experimental data and the exotic nature of actinide bonding due to the involvement and mixing of actinide 7s-, 6p-, 6d-, and particularly 5f-orbitals. Only a few experimental examples of An-An bonding have been reported so far. Here, we perform a methodological study of actinide-actinide bonding on experimentally known Th2@C80 and U2@C80 systems. We compared selected GGA, meta-GGA, hybrid-GGA and range-separated hybrid-GGA functionals with the results obtained using a multireference CASPT2 method, which we consider as a reference point. We show that functionals such as BP86, PBE or TPSS perform well for predicting geometries, while range-separated hybrids are superior in the description of the chemical bonding. None of the tested functionals were deemed reliable regarding the correct electronic spin ground state. Based on the results of this methodological study, we re-evaluate selected previously studied diactinide fullerene systems using more reliable protocol.

A crystalline tri-thorium cluster with σ-aromatic metal-metal bonding

Metal-metal bonding is a widely studied area of chemistry^1-3, and has become a mature field spanning numerous d transition metal and main group complexes^4-7. By contrast, actinide-actinide bonding, which is predicted to be weak⁸, is currently restricted to spectroscopically detected gas-phase U₂ and Th₂ (refs. ^9,10), U₂H₂ and U₂H₄ in frozen matrices at 6-7 K (refs. ^11,12), or fullerene-encapsulated U₂ (ref. ¹³). Furthermore, attempts to prepare thorium-thorium bonds in frozen matrices have produced only ThH_n (n = 1-4)¹⁴. Thus, there are no isolable actinide-actinide bonds under normal conditions. Computational investigations have explored the probable nature of actinide-actinide bonding¹⁵, concentrating on localized σ-, π-, and δ-bonding models paralleling d transition metal analogues, but predictions in relativistic regimes are challenging and have remained experimentally unverified. Here, we report thorium-thorium bonding in a crystalline cluster, prepared and isolated under normal experimental conditions. The cluster exhibits a diamagnetic, closed-shell singlet ground state with a valence-delocalized three-centre-two-electron σ-aromatic bond^16,17 that is counter to the focus of previous theoretical predictions. The experimental discovery of actinide σ-aromatic bonding adds to main group and d transition metal analogues, extending delocalized σ-aromatic bonding to the heaviest elements in the periodic table and to principal quantum number six, and constitutes a new approach to elaborate actinide-actinide bonding.

Ligands enhanced the Ac[triple bond, length as m-dash]Ac triple bond

The multiple bonds between actinide atoms and their derivatives are computationally investigated extensively and compounds with an unsupported actinide-actinide bond, especially in low oxidation states, have attracted great attention. Herein, high level relativistic quantum chemical methods are used to probe the Ac-Ac bonding in compounds with a general formula LAcAcL (L = AsH3, PH3, NH3, H, CO, NO) at both scalar and spin-orbit coupling relativistic levels. H3AsAcAcAsH3, H3PAcAcPH3 and OCAcAcCO compounds show a type of zero valence Ac[triple bond, length as m-dash]Ac triple bond with a 1σ2g1π4u configuration, and H3AsAcAcAsH3 has been found to have the shortest Ac-Ac bond length of 3.012 Å reported so far. The Ac2 unit is very sensitive to the σ donor ligands and can form triple, double and even single bonds when suitable ligands are introduced, up to 3.652 Å with an Ac-Ac single bond in H3NAcAcNH3.

Th2O-, Th2Au-, and Th2AuO1,2- Anions: Photoelectron Spectroscopic and Computational Characterization of Energetics and Bonding

The observation and characterization of the anions: Th₂O^-, Th₂Au^-, and Th₂AuO_1,2^- is reported. These species were studied through a synergetic combination of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio correlated molecular orbital theory calculations at the CCSD(T) level with large correlation-consistent basis sets. To better understand the energetics and bonding in these anions and their corresponding neutrals, a range of smaller diatomic to tetratomic species were studied computationally. Correlated molecular orbital theory calculations at the CCSD(T) level showed that in most of these cases, there are close-lying anions and neutral clusters with different geometries and spin states and are consistent with the experimentally observed spectra. Thus, comparison of experimentally determined and computationally predicted vertical detachment energies and electron affinities for different optimized geometries and spin states shows excellent agreement to within 0.1 eV. The structures for both the neutrals and anions have a significant ionic component to the bonding because of the large electron affinity of the Au atom and modest ionization potentials for Th₂, Th₂O, and Th₂O₂. The analysis of the bonding for the Th-Th bonds from the molecular orbitals is consistent with this ionic model. The results show that there is a wide variation in the bond distance from 2.7 to 3.5 Å for the Th-Th bonds all of which are less than twice the atomic radius of Th of 3.6 Å. The bond distances encompass bond orders from 4 to 0. There can be different bond orders for the same bond distance depending on the nature of the ionic bonding suggesting that one may not be able to correlate the bond order with the bond distance in these types of clusters. In addition, the presence of an Au atom may provide a unique probe of the bonding in such clusters because of its ability to accept an electron from clusters with modest ionization potentials.

From π Bonds without σ Bonds to the Longest Metal-Metal Bond Ever: A Survey on Actinide-Actinide Bonding in Fullerenes

Actinide-actinide bonds are rare. Only a few experimental systems with An-An bonds have been described so far. Recent experimental characterization of the U₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀ (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 3907) system with one-electron two-center (OETC) U-U bonds as was predicted by some of us (Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2015, 17, 24182) encourages the search for more examples of actinide-actinide bonding in fullerene cages. Here, we investigate actinide-actinide bonding in An₂@D_5h(1)-C₇₀, An₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀, and An₂@D_5h(1)-C₉₀ (An = Ac-Cm) endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs). Using different methods of the chemical bonding analysis, we show that most of the studied An₂@C₇₀ and An₂@C₈₀ systems feature one or more one-electron two-center actinide-actinide bonds. Unique bonding patterns are revealed in plutonium EMFs. The Pu₂@I_h(7)-C₈₀ features two OETC Pu-Pu π bonds without any evidence of a corresponding σ bond. In the Pu₂@D_5h(1)-C₉₀ with r_Pu-Pu = 5.9 Å, theory predicts the longest metal-metal bond ever described. Predicted systems are thermodynamically stable and should be, in principle, experimentally accessible, though radioactivity of studied metals may be a serious obstacle.

Carbon monoxide activation by atomic thorium: ground and excited state reaction pathways

Multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) and single reference coupled cluster calculations are performed for the ThCO and OThC isomers. Scalar and spin-orbit relativistic effects are considered through a relativistic pseudopotential and the coupling of MRCI wavefunctions via the Breit-Pauli spin-orbit Hamiltonian. Optimized geometries, excitation energies, and vibrational frequencies are reported for both isomers. Full potential energy profiles are constructed for the Th+CO reaction and the conversion of the produced ThCO to OThC. Linear ThCO was found to be more stable than the highly ionic bent OThC system by about 4 kcal mol^-1. The interconversion barrier is estimated to be around 30 kcal mol^-1. Our results are in agreement with earlier experimental data for the two isomers. The lowest lying states of Th do not populate f-orbitals and resemble the electronic structure of Ti. Therefore, the ability of the two atoms to activate the C[triple bond, length as m-dash]O bond is compared. OTiC is found to be about 40 kcal mol^-1 less stable than TiCO revealing the efficiency of Th and possibly other f-block elements to activate multiple chemical bonds as opposed to d-block metals.

Identification of a uranium-rhodium triple bond in a heterometallic cluster

The chemistry of d-block metal-metal multiple bonds has been extensively investigated in the past 5 decades. However, the synthesis and characterization of species with f-block metal-metal multiple bonds are significantly more challenging and such species remain extremely rare. Here, we report the identification of a uranium-rhodium triple bond in a heterometallic cluster, which was synthesized under routine conditions. The uranium-rhodium triple-bond length of 2.31 Å in this cluster is only 3% longer than the sum of the covalent triple-bond radii of uranium and rhodium (2.24 Å). Computational studies reveal that the nature of this uranium-rhodium triple bond is 1 covalent bond with 2 rhodium-to-uranium dative bonds. This heterometallic cluster represents a species with f-block metal-metal triple bond structurally authenticated by X-ray diffraction. These studies not only demonstrate the authenticity of the uranium-metal triple bond, but also provide a possibility for the synthesis of other f-block metal-metal multiple bonds. We expect that this work may further our understanding of the bonding between uranium and transition metals, which may help to design new d-f heterometallic catalysts with uranium-metal bonds for small-molecule activation and to promote the utilization of abundant depleted uranium resources.

Actinide-transition metal bonding in heterobimetallic uranium- and thorium-molybdenum paddlewheel complexes

We report the preparation of four heterobimetallic uranium- and thorium-molybdenum paddlewheel complexes. The characterisation data suggest the presence of Mo → An σ-interactions in all cases. These complexes represent unprecedented actinide-group 6 metal-metal bonds, where before heterobimetallic uranium-metal bonds were restricted to group 7-11 metals.

A Very Short Uranium(IV)-Rhodium(I) Bond with Net Double-Dative Bonding Character

Reaction of [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPM)(μ-Cl)Li(TMEDA)(μ-TMEDA)0.5 ]2 (BIPM=C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ; TMEDA=Me2 NCH2 CH2 NMe2 ) with [Rh(μ-Cl)(COD)]2 (COD=cyclooctadiene) affords the heterotrimetallic UIV -RhI2 complex [U(Cl)2 {C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )(PPh[C6 H4 ]NSiMe3 )}{Rh(COD)}{Rh(CH(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}]. This complex has a very short uranium-rhodium distance, the shortest uranium-rhodium bond on record and the shortest actinide-transition metal bond in terms of formal shortness ratio. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal a remarkable RhI→→ UIV net double dative bond interaction, involving RhI 4dz2 - and 4dxy/xz -type donation into vacant UIV 5f orbitals, resulting in a Wiberg/Nalewajski-Mrozek U-Rh bond order of 1.30/1.44, respectively. Despite being, formally, purely dative, the uranium-rhodium bonding interaction is the most substantial actinide-metal multiple bond yet prepared under conventional experimental conditions, as confirmed by structural, magnetic, and computational analyses.

The shortest Th-Th distance from a new type of quadruple bond

Compounds featuring unsupported metal-metal bonds between actinide elements remain highly sought after yet confined experimentally to inert gas matrix studies. Notwithstanding this paucity, actinide-actinide bonding has been the subject of extensive computational research. In this contribution, high level quantum chemical calculations at both the scalar and spin-orbit levels are used to probe the Th-Th bonding in a range of zero valent systems of general formula LThThL. Several of these compounds have very short Th-Th bonds arising from a new type of Th-Th quadruple bond with a previously unreported electronic configuration featuring two unpaired electrons in 6d-based δ bonding orbitals. H₃AsThThAsH₃ is found to have the shortest Th-Th bond yet reported (2.590 Å). The Th₂ unit is a highly sensitive probe of ligand electron donor/acceptor ability; we can tune the Th-Th bond from quadruple to triple, double and single by judicious choice of the L group, up to 2.888 Å for singly-bonded ONThThNO.

Preparation and Characterization of Uranium-Iron Triple-Bonded UFe(CO)3- and OUFe(CO)3- Complexes

We report the preparation of UFe(CO)₃^- and OUFe(CO)₃^- complexes using a laser-vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase. These compounds were mass-selected and characterized by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and state-of-the-art quantum chemical studies. There are unprecedented triple bonds between U 6d/5f and Fe 3d orbitals, featuring one covalent σ bond and two Fe-to-U dative π bonds in both complexes. The uranium and iron elements are found to exist in unique formal U(I or III) and Fe(-II) oxidation states, respectively. These findings suggest that there may exist a whole family of stable df-d multiple-bonded f-element-transition-metal compounds that have not been fully recognized to date.

Actinide (An = Th-Pu) dimetallocenes: promising candidates for metal-metal multiple bonds

Synthesis of complexes with direct actinide-actinide (An-An) bonding is an experimental 'holy grail' in actinide chemistry. In this work, a series of actinide dimetallocenes An2Cp (Cp(*) = C5(CH3)5, An = Th-Pu) with An-An multiple bonds have been systematically investigated using quantum chemical calculations. The coaxial Cp(*)-An-An-Cp(*) structures are found to be the most stable species for all the dimetallocenes. A Th-Th triple bond is predicted in the Th2Cp complex, and the calculated An-An bond orders decrease across the actinide series from Pa to Pu. The covalent character of the An-An bonds is analyzed by using natural bond orbitals (NBO), molecular orbitals (MO), the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), and electron density difference (EDD). While Th 6d orbitals dominate the Th-Th bonds in Th2Cp, the An 6d-orbital characters decrease and 5f-orbital characters increase for complexes from Pa2Cp to Pu2Cp. All these actinide dimetallocenes are stable in the gas phase relative to the AnCp(*) reference at room temperature. Based on the reactions of AnCp and An, Th2Cp, Pa2Cp and possibly also U2Cp should be accessible as isolated molecules under suitable synthetic conditions. Our results shed light on the molecular design of ligands for stabilizing actinide-actinide multiple bonds.

Theoretical studies of An(II)(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) (An = Th, Pa, U, and Np) complexes: the search for double-stuffed actinide metallocenes

Complexes of the form An(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) (An = Th, Pa, U, and Np) were investigated using density functional theory with scalar-relativistic effective core potentials. For uranium, a coaxial isomer with D(8h) symmetry is found to be more stable than a C(s) isomer in which the dimetal unit is perpendicular to the C(8) ring axis. Similar coaxial structures are predicted for Pa(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) and Np(2)(C(8)H(8))(2), while in Th(2)(C(8)H(8))(2), the C(8)H(8) rings tilt away from the An-An axis. Going from Th(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) to Np(2)(C(8)H(8))(2), the An-An bond length decreases from 2.81 A to 2.19 A and the An-An stretching frequency increases from 249 to 354 cm(-1). This is a result of electrons populating An-An 5f pi- and delta-type bonding orbitals and varphi nonbonding orbitals, thereby increasing in An-An bond order. U(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) is stable with respect to dissociation into U(C(8)H(8)) monomers. Disproportionation of U(2)(C(8)H(8))(2) into uranocene and the U atom is endothermic but is slightly exothermic for uranocene plus (1)/(2)U(2), suggesting that it might be possible to prepare double stuffed uranocene if suitable conditions can be found to avoid disproportionation.

A comparison of 4f vs 5f metal-metal bonds in (CpSiMe3)3M-ECp* (M = Nd, U; E = Al, Ga; Cp* = C5Me5): synthesis, thermodynamics, magnetism, and electronic structure

Reaction of (CpSiMe(3))(3)U or (CpSiMe(3))(3)Nd with (Cp*Al)(4) or Cp*Ga (Cp* = C(5)Me(5)) afforded the isostructural complexes (CpSiMe(3))(3)M-ECp* (M = U, E = Al (1); M = U, E = Ga (2); M = Nd, E = Al (3); M = Nd, E = Ga (4)). In the case of 1 and 2 the complexes were isolated in 39 and 90% yields, respectively, as crystalline solids and were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and UV-visible-NIR spectroscopy. In the case of 3 and 4, the complexes were observed by variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectroscopy but were not isolated as pure materials. Comparison of the equilibrium constants and thermodynamic parameters DeltaH and DeltaS obtained by (1)H NMR titration methods revealed a much stronger U-Ga interaction in 2 than the Nd-Ga interaction in 4. Competition reactions between (CpSiMe(3))(3)U and (CpSiMe(3))(3)Nd indicate that Cp*Ga selectively binds U over Nd in a 93:7 ratio at 19 degrees C and 96:4 at -33 degrees C. For 1 and 3, comparison of (1)H NMR peak intensities suggests that Cp*Al also achieves excellent U(III)/Nd(III) selectivity at 21 degrees C. The solution electronic spectra and solid-state temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2, in addition to X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements from scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM) of 1, are consistent with those observed for other U(III) coordination complexes. DFT calculations using five different functionals were performed on the model complexes Cp(3)M-ECp (M = Nd, U; E = Al, Ga), and empirical fitting of the values for Cp(3)M-ECp allowed the prediction of binding energy estimates for Cp*Al compounds 1 and 3. NBO/NLMO bonding analyses on Cp(3)U-ECp indicate that the bonding consists predominantly of a E-->U sigma-interaction arising from favorable overlap between the diffuse ligand lone pair and the primarily 7s/6d acceptor orbitals on U(III), with negligible U-->E pi-donation. The overall experimental and computational bonding analysis suggests that Cp*Al and Cp*Ga behave as good sigma-donors in these systems.

Formation of unprecedented actinide triple bond carbon in uranium methylidyne molecules

Chemistry of the actinide elements represents a challenging yet vital scientific frontier. Development of actinide chemistry requires fundamental understanding of the relative roles of actinide valence-region orbitals and the nature of their chemical bonding. We report here an experimental and theoretical investigation of the uranium methylidyne molecules X(3)U CH (X = F, Cl, Br), F(2)ClU CH, and F(3)U CF formed through reactions of laser-ablated uranium atoms and trihalomethanes or carbon tetrafluoride in excess argon. By using matrix infrared spectroscopy and relativistic quantum chemistry calculations, we have shown that these actinide complexes possess relatively strong U C triple bonds between the U 6d-5f hybrid orbitals and carbon 2s-2p orbitals. Electron-withdrawing ligands are critical in stabilizing the U(VI) oxidation state and sustaining the formation of uranium multiple bonds. These unique U C-bearing molecules are examples of the long-sought actinide-alkylidynes. This discovery opens the door to the rational synthesis of triple-bonded actinide carbon compounds.

On the paucity of molecular actinide complexes with unsupported metal-metal bonds: a comparative investigation of the electronic structure and metal-metal bonding in U2X6 (X = Cl, F, OH, NH2, CH3) complexes and d-block analogues

Density functional calculations have been performed on M2X6 complexes (where M = U, W, and Mo and X = Cl, F, OH, NH2, and CH3) to investigate general aspects of their electronic structures and explore the similarities and differences in metal-metal bonding between f-block and d-block elements. A detailed analysis of the metal-metal interactions has been conducted using molecular orbital theory and energy decomposition methods. Multiple (sigma and pi) bonding is predicted for all species investigated, with predominant f-f and d-d metal orbital character, respectively, for U and W or Mo complexes. The energy decomposition analysis involves contributions from orbital interactions (mixing of occupied and unoccupied orbitals), electrostatic effects (Coulombic attraction and repulsion), and Pauli repulsion (associated with four-electron two-orbital interactions). The general results suggest that the overall metal-metal interaction is stronger in the Mo and W species, relative to the U analogues, as a consequence of a significantly less destabilizing contribution from the combined Pauli and electrostatic ("pre-relaxation") effects. Although the orbital-mixing ("post-relaxation") contribution to the total bonding energy is predicted to have a larger magnitude in the U complexes, this is not sufficiently strong to compensate for the comparatively greater destabilization that originates from the Pauli-plus-electrostatic effects. Of the pre-relaxation terms, the Pauli repulsion is comparable in analogous U and d-block compounds, contrary to the electrostatic term, which is (much) less favorable in the U systems than in the W and Mo systems. This generally weak electrostatic stabilization accounts for the large pre-relaxation destabilization in the U complexes and, ultimately, for the relative weakness of the U-U bonds. The origin of the small electrostatic term in the U compounds is traced primarily to MX(3) fragment overlap effects.

Energy Decomposition Analysis of Metal−Metal Bonding in [M2X8]2- (X = Cl, Br) Complexes of 5f (U, Np, Pu), 5d (W, Re, Os), and 4d (Mo, Tc, Ru) Elements

The electronic structures of a series of [M2X8]2- (X=Cl, Br) complexes involving 5f (U, Np, Pu), 5d (W, Re, Os), and 4d (Mo, Tc, Ru) elements have been calculated using density functional theory, and an energy decomposition approach has been used to carry out a detailed analysis of the metal-metal interactions. The energy decomposition analysis involves contributions from orbital interactions (mixing of occupied and unoccupied orbitals), electrostatic effects (Coulombic attraction and repulsion), and Pauli repulsion (associated with four-electron two-orbital interactions). As previously observed for Mo, W, and U M2X6 species, the general results suggest that the overall metal-metal interaction is considerably weaker or unfavorable in the actinide systems relative to the d-block analogues, as a consequence of a significantly more destabilizing contribution from the combined Pauli and electrostatic (prerelaxation) effects. Although the orbital-mixing (postrelaxation) contribution to the total bonding energy is predicted to be larger in the actinide complexes, this is not sufficiently strong to compensate for the comparatively greater destabilization originating from the Pauli-plus-electrostatic effects. A generally weak electrostatic contribution accounts for the large prerelaxation destabilization in the f-block systems, and ultimately for the weak or unfavorable nature of metal-metal bonding between the actinide elements. There is a greater variation in the energy decomposition results across the [M2Cl8]2- series for the actinide than for the d-block elements, both in the general behavior and in some particular properties.

Metal-metal bonding in molecular actinide compounds: electronic structure of [M2X8](2-) (M = U, Np, Pu; X = Cl, Br, I) complexes and comparison with d-block analogues

Density functional and multiconfigurational (ab initio) calculations have been performed on [M(2)X(8)](2-) (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes of 4d (Mo, Tc, Ru), 5d (W, Re, Os), and 5f (U, Np, Pu) metals in order to investigate general trends, similarities and differences in the electronic structure and metal-metal bonding between f-block and d-block elements. Multiple metal-metal bonds consisting of a combination of sigma and pi interactions have been found in all species investigated, with delta-like interactions also occurring in the complexes of Tc, Re, Np, Ru, Os, and Pu. The molecular orbital analysis indicates that these metal-metal interactions possess predominantly d(z2) (sigma), d(xz) and d(yz) (pi), or d(xy) and d(x2-y2) (delta) character in the d-block species, and f(z3) (sigma), f(z2x) and f(z2y) (pi), or f(xyz) and f(z) (delta) character in the actinide systems. In the latter, all three (sigma, pi, delta) types of interaction exhibit bonding character, irrespective of whether the molecular symmetry is D(4h) or D(4d). By contrast, although the nature and properties of the sigma and pi bonds are largely similar for the D(4h) and D(4d) forms of the d-block complexes, the two most relevant metal-metal delta-like orbitals occur as a bonding and antibonding combination in D(4h) symmetry but as a nonbonding level in D(4d) symmetry. Multiconfigurational calculations have been performed on a subset of the actinide complexes, and show that a single electronic configuration plays a dominant role and corresponds to the lowest-energy configuration obtained using density functional theory.