Reactions of the sterically hindered organosilicon diol (Me3Si)2C(SiMe2OH)2 and some of its derivatives

The diol R₂C(SiMe₂OH)₂ (R = Me₃Si) has been shown to react with: SO₂Cl₂ to give R₂ Me₂; SOCl₂ to give R₂C(SiMe₂Cl)₂; Me₃SiI or Me₃SiCl to give R₂C(SiMe₂OSiMe₃)₂; R′COCl; (R′ = Me or CF₃) to give R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CR′)-(SiMe₂Cl); (R′CO)₂O (R′ = Me or CF₃ to give R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CR′)₂; with MeOH containing acid to give R₂C(SiMe₂OMe)₂; with neutral MeOH to give R₂C-(SiMe₂OMe)₂ and probably R₂ Me₂; MeLi to give R₂C(SiMe₂OLi)₂ (and the latter to react with PhMeSiF₂ to give R₂ Me₂). The diacetate R₂C(SiMe₂O₂CMe)₂ reacts with CsF in MeCN to give R₂C(SiMe₂F)₂; it does not react with NaN₃ or KSCN in MeCN, but the bis(trifluoroacetate) reacts with these salts with KOCN to give R₂C(SiMe₂X)₂ (X = N₃, NCS, NCO).     

Anchimeric assistance in solvolysis of an organosilicon chloride and acetate

The compound (Me₃Si)₃CSiMeClI reacts with Hg(OAc)₂ in AcOH to give (Me₃Si)₂C(SiMe₂OAc)₂, under conditions in which the chloride (Me₃Si)₃CSiMe₂Cl is inert. Similarly, (Me₃Si)₂C(SiMe₂OAc)₂ reacts with CF₃CO₂H to give (Me₃Si)₂C[SiMe₂(O₂CCF₃)]₂ under conditions in which (Me₃Si)₃CSiMe₂OAc is inert. The results can be accounted for in terms of anchimeric assistance by the neighbouring acetoxy or trifluoroacetoxy group to the breaking of the Si---Cl or Si---OAc bond.     

Preparation and reactions of some sterically hindered silanols, including [tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]silanetriol

The silanol TsiSiMe₂OH (Tsi = (Me₃Si)₃C) has been made by hydrolysis of the iodide TsiSiMe₂I in H₂O/dioxane or H₂O/Me₂SO. It has been shown to react with some acid chlorides RCOCl (R=Me, Et, CICH₂ Ph, 4-O₂NC₆H₄, and 3,5- (O₂N)₂C₆H₃) and anhydrides (RCO)₂O (R = Me, CF₃, or Ph) to give the carboxylates TsiSiMe₂OCOR, and with SO₂Cl₂ to give TsiSiMe₂OSO₂Cl. The triol TsiSi(OH)₃ has been made by treatment of TsiSiH(OH)I with H₂O/Me₂SO at 150°C or with a mixture of aqueous AgClO₄ and an organic solvent. The triol has been shown to react with RCOCl (R = Me, Et, or Ph) or (RCO)₂O (R = Ph) to give the corresponding TsiSi(OCOR)₃, with (CF₃CO)₂O to give TsiSi(OH)₂(OCOCF₃), and with a mixture of Me₃SiCl and AgClO₄ in benzene or one of Me₃Sil and (Me₃Si)NH to give TsiSi(OSiMe₃)₃. The triol is unusually stable, but decomposes at its m.p. of 285–290°C.     

Preparation, spectroscopic properties and thermal stabilities of organomercury compounds containing the bulky ligand (Me3Si)3C or (PhMe2Si)3C

Mercury compounds of the types HgR¹R (R¹ = C(SiMe₃)₃; R = Me, ⁱPr, Bu, ^tBu or Ph) and HgR²R(R² = C(SiMe₂Ph)₃; R = Me, Bu, CH₂Ph or Ph) have been prepared. Those containing R¹ were made by reactions of the bromides HgR¹Br with the Grignard reagents MgRX, and those containing R² by reaction of HgR²Cl with LiR or, for R = CH₂Ph, with Mg(CH₂Ph)Cl. Replacement of one R group in HgR₂ by the bulky R¹ or R² group leads to a large increase in thermal stability, a marked shift in the ¹⁹⁹Hg resonance to lower frequency and an increase in the coupling constant ¹J(¹³C---¹⁹⁹Hg) for the Hg---R bond. The compound HgR²Cl does not react further with LiR² in tetrahydrofuran, but with LiR¹ gives HgR¹R²; the arrangement of the SiMe₂Ph groups in the latter in solution in CH₂C12 at low temperature appears to be different from that in the solid.     

Organopolysilane oligomers bearing transition-metal moieties: Synthesis, reactivities and molecular structure of [η-Me3SiMe2SiC5H4(CO)Fe(CO)2Fe(CO)-η-C5H4SiMe2SiME3]

Reaction of Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₅ (4), prepared from Me₃SiMe₂SiCl and C₅H₅Na, with Fe(CO)₅ in refluxing xylene afforded the title compound (3). The silicon-silicon bond in 3 is exceptionally stable in refluxing xylene and also in succeeding reactions to prepare a series of its derivatives. Thus, 3 reacted with I₂ in either chloroform or benzene, giving [η⁵-Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₄Fe(CO)₂I] (6). Compound 3 was reduced by sodium amalgam and reacted subsequently with CH₃I, PhCH₂Cl, CH₃COCl, PhCOCl, Cy₃SnCl (Cy = cyclohexyl) and Ph₃SnCl, producing [η⁵-Me₃SiMe₂SiC₅H₄Fe(CO)₂R][7 : R = CH₃ (a), PhCH₂ (b), CH₃CO (c), PhCO (d), Cy₃Sn (e) and Ph₃Sn (f), respectively]. The molecular structure of 3 has been determined by X-ray diffraction crystallography. It was found that 3 has a trans-configuration with a symmetrical centre located at the middle of the Fe---Fe bond. It is abnormal that the conformation of the disilane part around the Si---Si bond is almost eclipsed rather than staggered.     

Synthesis and chemistry of the bis(trimethylsilyl)amido bis-tetrahydrofuranates of the group 2 metals magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. X-ray crystal structures of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF and related Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF

Transamination reactions utilizing the compound mercuric bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, Hg{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂, in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and the metals Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Al have been investigated. Thus the THF solvated compounds Na[N(SiMe₃)₂]·THF and M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF, M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba (1–4), have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and the related manganese compound Mn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF (5) are reported. Interaction of the silylamides, 2–4, with a range of crown ethers apparently proceeded with elimination of silylamine, (Me₃Si)₂NH, and novel ring opening of the crown ethers, generating species containing a donor alkoxide ligand with a vinyl ether function, presumably, ---O(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH=CH₂ (n = 3−5). The silylamides 2–4 were also cleanly converted to the corresponding alkoxides (from ¹H NMR data) in reactions with stoichiometric quantities of 3-ethyl-3-pentanol.     

Preparation and study of cyclic polynuclear ferrocenes derived from (C6H5)2PCH2CH2Si(CH3)2C5H4Li as a bridging ligand

The synthesis of the potential bridging ligand (C₆H₅)₂PCH₂CH₂Si(CH₃)₂C₅H₄ (3) is described. The ferrocene (6 derived from 3 has been found to form macrocyclic complexes with metal fragments NiCl₂, NiBr₂, and Co₂(CO)₆. Although monomeric, bimetallic products might have been expected based upon the reduced steric demands of ligand 3 relative to an analogous ligand, (C₆H₅)₂PCH₂Si(CH)₃)₂C₅H₄ (1), it appears that the increased flexibility in 3 is the overriding factor leading to a preference for inter- rather than intramolecular coordination of the second phosphine function in 6.     

Preparation, crystal structure, and reactivity of bis {tris(trimethylsilyl) methyl} magnesium

Heating of the lithium magnesate [Li(THF)₂(μ-Br)₂Mg(Tsi)(THF)] (Tsi = (Me₃Si)₃C) under vacuum gives the dialkylmagnesium compound Mg(Tsi)₂, the first two-coordinate magnesium derivative to have been structurally characterized in the solid state. The compound is remarkably thermally stable, not decomposing (or melting) when heated to 350°C. It has a very low reactivity, failing to react in toluene with, for example, CO₂, Me₃SiCl, Me₂SiHCl, MeI, BCl₃ or CH₃COCl, and even with neat CH₃COCl at its boiling point. It does react, though fairly slowly, with I₂ in toluene to give TsiI, and more rapidly with Br₂ to give TsiBr, and with an excess of PhSO₂Cl in toluene at 1OO°C to give TsiCl. It decomposes quickly in the air, and reacts readily with MeOH in toluene to give TsiH without formation of detectable amounts of the intermediate TsiMgOMe, and with O₂ in toluene.     

The reactivity of dimethylaluminum hydride with the aminoarsines Me2AsNMe2, MeAs(NMe2)2, and As(NMe2)3

The reactions of (Me₂AlH)₃ with Me₂AsNMe₂, MeAs(NMe₂)₂, and As(NMe₂)₃ were investigated as a function of time at room temperature and over the temperature range −90 to 24°C by use of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. (Me₂AlH)₃ was found to be very reactive toward the aminoarsines, even at −90°C, and no stable Me₂AlH-aminoarsine adducts were observed. Instead, the initial stages of the reactions involved AS---N bond cleavage with the generation of highly reactive AlN- and AsH-bonded species. The subsequent course of each reaction and the final arsenic-containing product distribution depended upon the original AL:N stoichiometric ratio and the respective aminoarsine. When the Al:N ratio was 1:1, the reactions were straightforward for each aminoarsine. However, in every case, [Me₂AlNMe₂]₂ was the final AlN-containing product. Independent reactions were carried out to verify many of the proposed decomposition pathways that lead to thermodynamically stable products. The results of this study are compared with those of the analogous, previously reported (Me₃Al)₂-aminoarsine systems. Additionally, a new synthetic route to [Me₂AlAsMe₂]₃ has been established from the reaction of (Me₂AlH)₃ with Me₂AsH.     

Geometrical isomerization of fac/mer-Mo(CO)3(phosphite)3 and cis/trans-Mo(CO)4(phosphite)2 catalyzed by Me3SiOSO2CF3

Geometrical isomerization of fac-Mo(CO)₃L₃ (L = P(OPh)₃, P(OMe)₃, P(OEt)₃) to the mer form and that of cis-Mo(CO)₄L₂ (L = P(OPh)₃, P(OMe)₃, PPh₂(OMe)) to the trans form were observed in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in the presence of a catalytic amount of Me₃SiOSO₂CF₃ (TMSOTf). Crossover experiments suggest that a ligand dissociation is not involved in the isomerization. A catalytic cycle involving an interaction of the silicon atom in Me₃Si⁺ with one oxygen in P(OR)₃ ligands has been proposed. The first isolation and the X-ray structure analysis were attained for mer-Mo(CO)₃{P(OPh)₃}₃ through the TSMOTf-assisted isomerization of fac-Mo(CO)₃{P(OPh)₃}₃.     

Heterobimetallic Mo---Sn complexes. Reactions of [Mo(CO)3(CH3CN)2(Cl)(SnRCl2)] (R = Me, Ph) with 4(4-XC6H4)3 (X = Cl, F, H, Me, MeO)

Three families of heterobimetallic compounds were obtained by reaction of [Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN)₂(Cl)(SnRCl₂)] (R = Ph, Me) with P(4-XC₆H₄)₃ (X = Cl, F, H, Me, MeO). The type of compound obtained dependent on the solvent and concentration of the starting compound. So, [Mo(CO)₂(CH₃COCH₃)₂(PPh₃)(Cl)(SnRCl₂)]·nCH₃COCH₃ (R = Ph, n = 0.5; R = Me, n = 1) (type I) and [Mo(CO)₃{P(4-XC₆H₄)₃}(μ-Cl)(SnRCl₂)]₂ (R = Ph, X = Cl, F, H, Me, MeO; R = Me, X = Cl, F) (type II) were isolated from acetone solution in ca 0.05 M and 0.1 M concentrations, respectively. However, [Mo(CO)₃(CH₃CN) {P(4-XC₆H₄)₃}(Cl)(SnRCl₂)] (R = Ph, X = H; R = Me, X = Cl, F, H) (type III) were obtained from dichloromethane solution independently of the concentration used. All new complexes showed a seven-coordinate environment at molybdenum, containing Mo---Cl and Mo---Sn bonds. Mössbauer spectra indicated a four-coordination at tin for type III complexes.     

Photolysis of (Me2Si)6 in argon matrices doped with high concentrations (ca. 20%) of N2O or C2H4O: formation of (Me2SiO)6

Irradiation using a low pressure mercury lamp (λ=ca. 250 nm) of argon matrices containing ca. 1% (Me₂Si)₆ and ca. 20% ethylene oxide (C₂H₄O) or nitrous oxide (N₂O) for a period of ca. 20 h leads to the formation of the cyclic compound (Me₂SiO)₆. This has a 12-membered ring with alternating Si and O atoms. It is identified by comparison of its infrared spectrum with a spectrum of an authentic sample. The reaction appears to proceed by stepwise insertion of O atoms into Si---Si bonds.     

New heterometallic copper zinc alkoxides: synthesis, structure properties and pyrolysis to Cu/ZnO composites

The copper compound [(THF)KCu(O^tBu)₃]_∞ 1 was obtained by interaction of a 1:1 mixture of ZnCl₂/CuCl₂ with KO^tBu. Bi- and trifunctional aminoalcohols were used to synthesize the intramolecularly donor stabilized Cu(II) alkoxides Cu(OCH(R)CH₂NMe₂)₂ (3: R=Me, 4: =CH₂NMe₂) where 4 was structurally characterized. Lewis acid–base adduct formation with (Me₃Si)₃CZnCl gave the heterodinuclear compounds (Me₃Si)₃CZnCl · Cu(OCH(R)CH₂NMe₂)₂ (5: R=Me, 6: R=CH₂NMe₂), which were characterized by X-ray single-crystal structure analysis. The two metal centers Cu and Zn of 5 and 6 are bridged by two oxygen atoms to form a Cu–O–Zn core. Pyrolysis of compounds 5 and 6 in dry argon or a H₂/N₂ mixture at atmospheric pressure forms metallic copper and zinc oxide, whereas pyrolysis under O₂/Ar forms additionally oxidized copper species. Elemental analysis of the pyrolysis products showed carbon and nitrogen contamination. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis were performed to get information on the morphology and the chemical composition of the pyrolysis products.     

Alternative-liganden XIII. Koordinatives verhalten der chelatliganden Me2XGeMe2(CH2)2X′Me2 (Me = CH3; X, X′ = N, P, As)

In order to gain information about the coordinating properties of the chelating ligands Me₂XGeMe₂(CH₂)₂X′Me₂ (abbr. XGeCCX′) the chemical and spectroscopic results obtained during the synthesis of the M(CO)₄(XGeCCX′) complexes (M = Cr, Mo, W; X, X′ = N, P, As) are critically discussed and compared with the results for the analogous five-membered ring chelates M(CO)₄(KGeCX′).     

Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine oxide) complexes of the lanthanide nitrates; synthesis, characterisation and crystal structures of [La(Ph3PO)4(NO3)3]·Me2CO and [Lu(Ph3PO)4(NO3)2]NO3

The reaction of Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr or Nd) with a sixfold excess of Ph₃PO in acetone formed [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₃]·Me₂CO. The crystal structure of the La complex shows a nine-coordinate metal centre with four phosphine oxides, two bidentate and one monodentate nitrate groups, and PXRD studies show the same structure is present in the other three complexes. In CH₂Cl₂ or Me₂CO solutions, ³¹P NMR studies show that the complexes are essentially completely decomposed into [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] and Ph₃PO. Similar reactions in ethanol gave [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] only. In contrast for Ln=Sm, Eu or Gd, only the [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] are formed from either acetone or ethanol solutions. For the later lanthanides Ln=Tb–Lu, acetone solutions of Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and Ph₃PO gave [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] only, even with a large excess of Ph₃PO, but from cold ethanol [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ (Ln=Tb, Ho–Lu) were obtained. The structure of [Lu(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ shows an eight-coordinate metal centre with four phosphine oxides and two bidentate nitrate groups. In solution in CH₂Cl₂ or Me₂CO the tetrakis-complexes show varying amounts of decomposition into mixtures of [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃], [Ln(Ph₃PO)₄(NO₃)₂]NO₃ and Ph₃PO as judged by ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. The [Ln(Ph₃PO)₃(NO₃)₃] also partially decompose in solution for Ln=Dy–Lu, forming some tetrakis(phosphine oxide) species.     

Perfluormethyl-element-liganden : XXXI. Ligandeneigenschaften von Me2PP(CF3)2 und Me2AsP(CF3)2

The coordinating properties of the trifluoromethyl elemental compounds Me₂PP(CF₃)₂ and Me₂AsP(CF₃)₂ have been studied by the synthesis and spectroscopic investigations (IR, NMR, MS) of their complexes cis-M(CO)₄L₂ (A), [(CO)₄ML]₂ (B) and [(CO)₅M]₂L (C) (M = Cr, Mo, W). Complexes of type A with L = Me₂PP(CF₃)₂ are obtained in good yield by reaction with M(CO)₄NBD (NBD = norbornadiene), whereas with L = Me₂AsP(CF₃)₂ the homobinuclear compounds B are formed. The attempt to prepare the cis-M(CO)₄[Me₂AsP(CF₃)₂]₂ complexes by treating M(CO)₄(Me₂AsH)₂ with P₂(CF₃)₄ is successful only for M = W. Binuclear compounds of type B or C, in general, can be prepared by stepwise reaction of the ligands with either M(CO)₄NBD or M(CO)₅THF.     

Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of some arylantimony triphenylgermanylpropionates and crystal structures of Ph3GeCH(Ph)CH2CO2SbPh4 and [Ph3GeCH2CH(CH3)CO2]2Sb(4-ClC6H4)3

A series of novel arylantimony(V) triphenylgermanylpropionates with the formula (Ph₃GeCHR¹CHR²CO₂)_nSbAr_(5−n) (R¹=H, Ph; R²=H, CH₃; n=1, 2) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structures of Ph₃GeCH(Ph)CH₂CO₂SbPh₄ and [Ph₃GeCH₂CH(CH₃)CO₂]₂Sb(4-ClC₆H₄)₃ were determined by X-ray diffraction. The in vitro antitumor activities of some selected compounds against five cancer cells are reported.     

Group 4 metallacarboranes of constrained geometries derived from B(cage)- and C(cage)-silylamido-substituted carborane ligands: a synthetic and structural investigation

The reactions of RNHSi(Me)₂Cl (1, R=t-Bu; 2, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃) with the carborane ligands, nido-1-Na(C₄H₈O)-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅ (3) and Li[closo-1-R′-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] (4), produced two kinds of neutral ligand precursors, nido-5-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅, (5, R=t-Bu) and closo-1-R′-2-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6, R=t-Bu, R′=Ph; 7, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃, R′=H), in 85, 92, and 95% yields, respectively. Treatment of closo-2-[Si(Me)₂NH(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (7) with three equivalents of freshly cut sodium metal in the presence of naphthalene produced the corresponding cage-opened sodium salt of the “carbons apart” carborane trianion, [nido-3-{Si(Me)₂N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)}-1,3-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]³⁻ (8) in almost quantitative yield. The reaction of the trianion, 8, with anhydrous MCl₄ (M=Ti and Zr) in 1:1 molar ratio in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C, resulted in the formation of the corresponding half-sandwich neutral d⁰-metallacarborane, closo-1-M[(Cl)(THF)_n]-2-[1′-η¹σ-N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)(Me)₂Si]-2,4-η⁶-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (M=Ti (9), n=0; M=Zr (10), n=1) in 47 and 36% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹¹B-, and ¹³C-NMR spectra and IR spectra. The carborane ligand, 7, was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.2357(19) Å, b=28.686(7) Å, c=9.921(2) Å; β=93.482(4)°; V=2339.5(9) ų, and Z=4. The final refinements of 7 converged at R=0.0736; wR=0.1494; GOF=1.372 for observed reflections.     

Synthesis and structural behavior of the P-functional organotin chlorides [Ph2P(CH2)3]2SnCl2, Ph2P(CH2)3SnCl2Me, and Ph2P(CH2)nSnCl3 (n=2, 3)

The P-functional organotin dichloride [Ph₂P(CH₂)₃]₂SnCl₂ (3) is synthesized by reaction of Ph₂P(CH₂)₃MgCl with SnCl₄ independently of the molar ratio of the starting compounds. The corresponding organotin trichlorides Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSnCl₂R (4: n=2, R=Cl; 5: n=3, R=Cl; 6: n=3, R=Me) are formed in a cleavage reaction of Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSnCy₃ (n=2, 3) with SnCl₄ or MeSnCl₃, respectively. The main features of the crystal structures of 3–6 are both intra- and intermolecular PSn coordinations and the existence of intermolecular Sn---ClSn bridges. For further characterization of the title compounds, the adducts 4(Ph₃PO)₂ (7) and 5(Ph₃PO) (8), as well as the P-oxides and P-sulfides of 3–6 (9–15), are synthesized. The results of crystal structure analyses of 7, 11, 12, and 14 are reported. The structures of 9–15 are characterized by intramolecular P=XSn interactions (X=O, S). A first insight into the structural behavior of the compounds 3–15 in solution is discussed on the basis of multinuclear NMR data.     

Synthesis and characterization of uranium(III) compounds supported by the hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)borate ligand: Crystal structures of [U(Tp)2(X)] complexes (X = OC6H2-2,4,6-Me3, dmpz, Cl)

Reaction of [U(Tp^Me2)₂(NR₂)] (R = Ph, SiMe₃) with protic substrates such as 2,4,6-trimethylphenol (HOC₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃), 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Hdmpz), 2-mercaptopyridine (HSC₅H₄N) and phenylacetylene (HCCPh) afforded the corresponding [U(Tp^Me2)₂(OAr)] (Ar = C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me₃) (1), [U(Tp^Me2)₂(dmpz)] (2), [U(Tp^Me2)₂(η²-SC₅H₄N)] (3), and [U(Tp^Me2)₂(CCPh)] (4) compounds. Reaction of [U(Tp^Me2)₂(NR₂)] with Me₃SnCl or Me₃SiBr gave [U(Tp^Me2)₂Cl] (5) and [U(Tp^Me2)₂Br] (6), respectively, in high yield. The amido precursors failed to react with cyclopentadiene, but metathesis of [U(Tp^Me2)₂I] with NaCp yielded [U(κ³-Tp^Me2)(κ²-Tp^Me2)(η⁵-Cp)] (7). Thermolysis of 7 resulted in oxidation of the metal centre and redistribution of the ligands, giving [UCp₃(dmpz)] (8), pyrazabole (9) and [U(Tp^Me2)(dmpz)₃] (10). The complexes have been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and the structures of 1, 2, and 5 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. In the solid state the complexes exhibit distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometries.