Examples of rare uranium(III) alkyl complexes Tp*2UR (R = CH2Ph, CH2SiMe3, CH3, (CH2)3CH3) and Tp*U(CH2Ph)2(THF) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-borate), were synthesized by salt metathesis from Tp*2UI and TpUI2(THF)2 respectively and a series of alkali metal alkylating agents. These compounds have been fully characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and in some cases, X-Ray crystallography.  This report presents rare examples of stable, isolable uranium(III) alkyl species.  The unique reactivity of the uranium(III)-carbon bond has been explored revealing that trivalent uranium alkyl complexes can perform radical processes resulting in the intermolecular coupling of the alkyl group.

Investigations into the synthesis and reactivity of low valent uranium alkyl complexes

248th National Meeting (2014)

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