Transition metal alkyl complexes play an important role in many catalytic processes, and their reactivity has been studied extensively. In comparison, the synthesis and reactivity of uranium alkyls is not well established. Our lab has been studying trivalent and homoleptic tetravalent uranium alkyls, to understand how synthetic techniques and subsequent reactivity are determined by the oxidation state of uranium and its available starting materials. These unique alkyl species have been explored for their ability to perform fundamental organometallic reactions, as these are not currently established for the actinides.  The synthesis of these interesting complexes as well as the ability of these uranium alkyls to undergo oxidative addition and reductive elimination reactions in the presence redox-active ligands will be discussed. Additionally, the ability of these U-C bonds to potentially insert and activate small molecules has been evaluated.

Exploring the organometallic chemistry of uranium: Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of trivalent and tetravalent uranium-carbon bonds

248th National Meeting (2014)

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