Synthesis,structure, spectroscopy and redox energetics of a series of uranium(IV) mixed-ligand metallocene complexes

A series of uranium(IV) mixed-ligand amide–halide/pseudohalide complexes (C₅Me₅)₂UN(SiMe₃)₂](X) (X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), I (4), N₃ (5), NCO (6)), (C₅Me₅)₂U(NPh₂)(X) (X = Cl (7), N₃ (8)), and (C₅Me₅)₂UN(Ph)(SiMe₃)](X) (X = Cl (9), N₃ (10)) have been prepared by one electron oxidation of the corresponding uranium(III) amide precursors using either copper halides, silver isocyanate, or triphenylphosphine gold(I)azide. Agostic U?H–C interactions and η³-(N,C,C′) coordination are observed for these complexes in both the solid-state and solution. There is a linear correlation between the chemical shift values of the C₅Me₅ ligand protons in the ¹H NMR spectra and the U^IV/U^III reduction potentials of the (C₅Me₅)₂UN(SiMe₃)₂](X) complexes, suggesting that there is a common origin, that is overall σ-/π-donation from the ancillary (X) ligand to the metal, contributing to both observables. Optical spectroscopy of the series of complexes 1–6 is dominated by the (C₅Me₅)₂UN(SiMe₃)₂] core, with small variations derived from the identity of the halide/pseudohalide. The considerable π-donating ability of the fluoride ligand is reflected in both the electrochemistry and UV-visible-NIR spectroscopic behavior of the fluoride complex (C₅Me₅)₂UN(SiMe₃)₂](F) (1). The syntheses of the new trivalent uranium amide complex, (C₅Me₅)₂UN(Ph)(SiMe₃)](THF), and the two new weakly-coordinating electrolytes, Pr₄N]B{3,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃}₄] and Pr₄N]B(C₆F₅)₄], are also reported.