Heterometallic clusters are important in catalysis and small molecule activation because of the synergistic effects from different metals. However, multimetallic species containing U-M bonds remain very scarce due to the difficulties in their synthesis. Although the first complex containing a U-M bond was reported in 1987, this chemistry was dormant for two decades and has only recently begun to be revived. Heterobidentate ligands are effective for the synthesis of complexes with supported U-M bonds. Two typical examples are the phosphinoamide ligand (I) with a rigid N-P scaffold and the diphenylphosphine-substituted aryloxide ligand (II) with an O-P scaffold, which were reported by the groups of Thomas, Bart, and Arnold. Significantly, Arnold and co-workers reported a novel synthetic route for a U-Co bond, which was generated by photolysis of an isocarbonyl species with a heptadentate N4P3 scaffold (III). These ligand scaffolds, however, support only one U-M bond. Recently, we report an efficient synthetic strategy to construct a series of heterometallic clusters with multiple U-M bonds or U-M triple bonds, employing a novel double-layer N-P ligand (IV). In addition, the N2 triple bond was cleavaged via the U-M or U-P synergistic effects based on ligand IV.

Heterometallic cluster with uranium-metal bonds

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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