New reactivity of the uranyl ion: ring opening polymerisation of epoxides

The uranyl aryloxide, UO(2)(OAr)(2)(THF)(2)], and uranyl chloride, UO(2)Cl(2)(THF)(3)] or UO(2)Cl(2)(THF)(2)](2) act as pre-catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of propylene oxide and cyclohexene oxide. Coordination of the monomers has been investigated using (1)H EXSY spectroscopy and kinetic and thermodynamic parameters reported. NMR analyses of the polymers suggest a bimetallic mechanism for the polymerization.