Trapping of a Highly Bent and Reduced Form of 2‐Phosphaethynolate in a Mixed‐Valence Diuranium–Triamidoamine Complex

The chemistry of 2‐phosphaethynolate is burgeoning, but there remains much to learn about this ligand, for example its reduction chemistry is scarce as this promotes P‐C‐O fragmentations or couplings. Here, we report that reduction of [U(Tren^TIPS)(OCP)] (Tren^TIPS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiPrⁱ₃)₃) with KC₈/2,2,2‐cryptand gives [{U(Tren^TIPS)}₂{μ‐η²(OP):η²(CP)‐OCP}][K(2,2,2‐cryptand)]. The coordination mode of this trapped 2‐phosphaethynolate is unique, and derives from an unprecedented highly reduced and highly bent form of this ligand with the most acute P‐C‐O angle in any complex to date (P‐C‐O ? ≈127°). The characterisation data support a mixed‐valence diuranium(III/IV) formulation, where backbonding from uranium gives a highly reduced form of the P‐C‐O unit that is perhaps best described as a uranium‐stabilised OCP^2?. radical dianion. Quantum chemical calculations reveal that this gives unprecedented carbene character to the P‐C‐O unit, which engages in a weak donor–acceptor interaction with one of the uranium ions.     

Cleavage of Unstrained C−C Bonds in Acenes by Boron and Light: Transformation of Naphthalene into Benzoborepin

Naphthalene and acenaphthene with peri 2‐py and BMes₂ (py=pyridyl, Mes=mesityl) substituents have been found to undergo facile phototransformation, cleavage of a C−C bond of naphthalene, and formation of 2‐py‐bound benzoborepins as the major products. Mechanistic pathways of this photoreaction have been established by examination of both excited and ground states by using CASSCF and CASPT2 methods in DFT and time‐dependent DFT calculations. The mesityl to py‐naphthyl charge‐transfer transition and the mesityl migration from the boron atom to the naphthyl moiety drive this unprecedented C−C bond cleavage and boron‐insertion reaction.     

Synthesis of Air‐Stable,Volatile Uranium(IV) and (VI) Compounds and Their Gas‐Phase Conversion To Uranium Oxide Films

Four air‐stable, volatile uranium heteroarylalkenolates have been synthesized and characterized by three synthetic approaches and their gas phase deposition to uranium oxide films has been examined.     

Homoleptic Aryl Complexes of Uranium (IV)

The synthesis and characterization of sterically unencumbered homoleptic organouranium aryl complexes containing U?C σ‐bonds has been of interest to the chemical community for over 70 years. Reported herein are the first structurally characterized, sterically unencumbered homoleptic uranium (IV) aryl‐ate species of the form [U(Ar)₆]^2? (Ar=Ph, p‐tolyl, p‐Cl‐Ph). Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and computational studies provide insight into electronic structure and bonding interactions in the U?C σ‐bond across this series of complexes. Overall, these studies solve a decades‐long challenge in synthetic uranium chemistry, enabling new insight into electronic structure and bonding in organouranium complexes.     

Chemical Vapor Deposition of Phase‐Pure Uranium Dioxide Thin Films from Uranium(IV) Amidate Precursors

Homoleptic uranium(IV) amidate complexes have been synthesized and applied as single‐source molecular precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of UO₂ thin films. These precursors decompose by alkene elimination to give highly crystalline phase‐pure UO₂ films with an unusual branched heterostructure.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Chemo‐ and Enantioselective C−O Bond Cleavage of α‐Acyloxy Ketones by Hydrogenolysis

A chemoselective C−O bond cleavage of the ester alkyl side‐chain of α‐acyloxy ketones was realized for the first time by a highly efficient palladium‐catalyzed hydrogenolysis (S/C=6000, the highest catalytic efficiency by far). Furthermore, a kinetic resolution of α‐acyloxy ketones was first developed by enantioselective hydrogenolysis with good yields and up to 99 % ee.     

Determination of the Uranium(VI) and ‐(IV) Species in Uranium Ores

The determination of the two species of uranium(VI and IV) present in 6 uranium ores was studied in relation to the chemical and mineralogical composition, humidity, and pH of the samples taken over from the mine. X‐ray diffraction studies, performed on the uranium ores in powder form allowed to establish their mineralogical composition. Thechemical analysis pointed out the presence, besides the two uranium species, of some microelements able to influence the U^VI/U^IV ratio in minerals and to leach out U^VI as uranyl ions from the corresponding minerals.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of a Uranium(VI) Carbene Imido Oxo Complex

We report the uranium(VI) carbene imido oxo complex [U(BIPM^TMS)(NMes)(O)(DMAP)₂] ( 5 , BIPM^TMS=C(PPh₂NSiMe₃)₂; Mes=2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂; DMAP=4‐(dimethylamino)pyridine) which exhibits the unprecedented arrangement of three formal multiply bonded ligands to one metal center where the coordinated heteroatoms derive from different element groups. This complex was prepared by incorporation of carbene, imido, and then oxo groups at the uranium center by salt elimination, protonolysis, and two‐electron oxidation, respectively. The oxo and imido groups adopt axial positions in a T‐shaped motif with respect to the carbene, which is consistent with an inverse trans‐influence. Complex 5 reacts with tert‐butylisocyanate at the imido rather than carbene group to afford the uranyl(VI) carbene complex [U(BIPM^TMS)(O)₂(DMAP)₂] ( 6 ).     

Ligand-Supported Facile Conversion of Uranyl(VI) into Uranium(IV) in Organic and Aqueous Media

Reduction of uranyl(VI) to U^V and to U^IV is important in uranium environmental migration and remediation processes. The anaerobic reduction of a uranyl U^VI complex supported by a picolinate ligand in both organic and aqueous media is presented. The [U^VIO₂(dpaea)] complex is readily converted into the cis-boroxide U^IV species via diborane-mediated reductive functionalization in organic media. Remarkably, in aqueous media the uranyl(VI) complex is rapidly converted, by Na₂S₂O₄, a reductant relevant for chemical remediation processes, into the stable uranyl(V) analogue, which is then slowly reduced to yield a water-insoluble trinuclear U^IV oxo-hydroxo cluster. This report provides the first example of direct conversion of a uranyl(VI) compound into a well-defined molecular U^IV species in aqueous conditions.     

Radical‐Based C−C Bond‐Forming Processes Enabled by the Photoexcitation of 4‐Alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines

We report herein that 4‐alkyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridines (alkyl‐DHPs) can directly reach an electronically excited state upon light absorption and trigger the generation of C(sp³)‐centered radicals without the need for an external photocatalyst. Selective excitation with a violet‐light‐emitting diode turns alkyl‐DHPs into strong reducing agents that can activate reagents through single‐electron transfer manifolds while undergoing homolytic cleavage to generate radicals. We used this photochemical dual‐reactivity profile to trigger radical‐based carbon–carbon bond‐forming processes, including nickel‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions.     

Cyaarside (CAs−) and 1,3‐Diarsaallendiide (AsCAs2−) Ligands Coordinated to Uranium and Generated via Activation of the Arsaethynolate Ligand (OCAs−)

Reaction of the trivalent uranium complex [((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U(DME)] with one molar equiv [Na(OCAs)(dioxane)₃], in the presence of 2.2.2‐crypt, yields [Na(2.2.2‐crypt)][{((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV(THF)}(μ‐O){((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV(CAs)}] ( 1 ), the first example of a coordinated η¹‐cyaarside ligand (CAs^?). Formation of the terminal CAs^? is promoted by the highly reducing, oxophilic U^III precursor [((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U(DME)] and proceeds through reductive C?O bond cleavage of the bound arsaethynolate anion, OCAs^?. If two equiv of OCAs^? react with the U^III precursor, the binuclear, μ‐oxo‐bridged U₂^IV/IV complex [Na(2.2.2‐crypt)]₂[{((^Ad,MeArO)₃N)U^IV}₂(μ‐O)(μ‐AsCAs)] ( 2 ), comprising the hitherto unknown μ:η¹,η¹‐coordinated (AsCAs)^2? ligand, is isolated. The mechanistic pathway to 2 involves the decarbonylation of a dimeric intermediate formed in the reaction of 1 with OCAs^?. An alternative pathway to complex 2 is by conversion of 1 via addition of one further equiv of OCAs^?.     

Facile Reductive Silylation of UO22+ to Uranium(IV) Chloride

General reductive silylation of the UO₂²⁺ cation occurs readily in a one‐pot, two‐step stoichiometric reaction at room temperature to form uranium(IV) siloxides. Addition of two equivalents of an alkylating reagent to UO₂X₂(L)₂ (X=Cl, Br, I, OTf; L=triphenylphosphine oxide, 2,2′‐bipyridyl) followed by two equivalents of a silyl (pseudo)halide, R₃Si‐X (R=aryl, alkyl, H; X=Cl, Br, I, OTf, SPh), cleanly affords (R₃SiO)₂UX₂(L)₂ in high yields. Support is included for the key step in the process, reduction of U^VI to U^V. This procedure is applicable to a wide range of commercially available uranyl salts, silyl halides, and alkylating reagents. Under this protocol, one equivalent of SiCl₄ or two equivalents of Me₂SiCl₂ results in direct conversion of the uranyl to uranium(IV) tetrachloride. Full spectroscopic and structural characterization of the siloxide products is reported.