When I was an undergraduate student at New College of Florida, I started reading the literature and came across manuscripts on uranium-uranium bonds by Bruce E. Bursten. For the next year or more, I basically stalked this poor man. While I did never worked directly with Bruce, that interaction between him and I formed a friendship and mentorship that has had a profound effect on my career. To this day, my parents still ask how Bruce is doing! One reason I am an actinide chemist today is due to Bruce’s initial inspiration (but mostly WJE’s influence). I am grateful to be a part of this symposium honoring him for the award for Distinguished Service in the Advancement of Inorganic Chemistry. This presentation will focus on our recent efforts in the synthesis and characterization of thorium and uranium-pnictogen bonds. We have synthesized a series of amido, imido, phosphido, phosphinidiide, phosphinidene, arsenido, diarsenido, and arsinidiide complexes. The structure, bonding, and reactivity of these moieties will be discussed, especially those which show divergent reactivity between thorium and uranium. For example, the reaction of (C5Me5)2Th[P(H)Mes]2, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, with CO forms the unusual compound, (C5Me5)2Th[κ2-(O,O)-OC(H)2P(Mes)C(=PMes)O], in which each proton from phosphorus migrates to one carbon of an inserted CO molecule. However, the analogous reaction with uranium produces, (C5Me5)2U[κ2-(O,O)-OC(H)P(H)MesC(=PMes)O], where one proton migrates from one phosphido ligand while the other phosphorus retains its proton.

Celebrating BEB with the reactivity of thorium and uranium phosphido and arensido complexes

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.