Oliver J. Cooper

Synthesis of a Uranium(VI)-Carbene: Reductive Formation of Uranyl(V)-Methanides, Oxidative Preparation of a [R2C═U═O]2+ Analogue of the [O═U═O]2+ Uranyl Ion (R = Ph2PNSiMe3), and Comparison of the Nature of UIV═C, UV═C, and UVI═C Double Bonds

We report attempts to prepare uranyl(VI)- and uranium(VI) carbenes utilizing deprotonation and oxidation strategies. Treatment of the uranyl(VI)-methanide complex [(BIPMH)UO(2)Cl(THF)] [1, BIPMH = HC(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)] with benzyl-sodium did not afford a uranyl(VI)-carbene via deprotonation. Instead, one-electron reduction and isolation of di- and trinuclear [UO(2)(BIPMH)(μ-Cl)UO(μ-O){BIPMH}] (2) and [UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)(μ(3)-Cl){UO(μ-O)(BIPMH)}(2)] (3), respectively, with concomitant elimination of dibenzyl, was observed. Complexes 2 and 3 represent the first examples of organometallic uranyl(V), and 3 is notable for exhibiting rare cation-cation interactions between uranyl(VI) and uranyl(V) groups. In contrast, two-electron oxidation of the uranium(IV)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(3)Li(THF)(2)] (4) by 4-morpholine N-oxide afforded the first uranium(VI)-carbene [(BIPM)UOCl(2)] (6). Complex 6 exhibits a trans-CUO linkage that represents a [R(2)C═U═O](2+) analogue of the uranyl ion. Notably, treatment of 4 with other oxidants such as Me(3)NO, C(5)H(5)NO, and TEMPO afforded 1 as the only isolable product. Computational studies of 4, the uranium(V)-carbene [(BIPM)UCl(2)I] (5), and 6 reveal polarized covalent U═C double bonds in each case whose nature is significantly affected by the oxidation state of uranium. Natural Bond Order analyses indicate that upon oxidation from uranium(IV) to (V) to (VI) the uranium contribution to the U═C σ-bond can increase from ca. 18 to 32% and within this component the orbital composition is dominated by 5f character. For the corresponding U═C π-components, the uranium contribution increases from ca. 18 to 26% but then decreases to ca. 24% and is again dominated by 5f contributions. The calculations suggest that as a function of increasing oxidation state of uranium the radial contraction of the valence 5f and 6d orbitals of uranium may outweigh the increased polarizing power of uranium in 6 compared to 5.

The nature of the U=C double bond: pushing the stability of high oxidation state uranium-carbenes to the limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM(Mes)H)] (BIPM(Mes)={C(PPh2NMes)2}(2−); Mes=C6H2-2,4,6-Me3) with [UCl4(thf)3] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM(Mes)H)(Cl)3(thf)] (1), which generated [U(BIPM(Mes))(Cl)2(thf)2] (2), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM(Mes))2] or the formation of [U(BIPM(Mes)H)(O)2(Cl)(thf)] (3). The complex [U(BIPM(Dipp))(μ-Cl)4(Li)2(OEt2)(tmeda)] (4) (BIPM(Dipp)={C(PPh2NDipp)2}(2−); Dipp=C6H3-2,6-iPr2; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li2(BIPM(Dipp))(tmeda)] and [UCl4(thf)3] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)2(thf)2] (5). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)2(μ-Cl)2(Li)(thf)2] (6). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N-oxides gives [{U(BIPM(Dipp)H)(O)2- (μ-Cl)2Li(tmeda)] (7) and [{U(BIPM(Dipp)H)(O)2(μ-Cl)}2] (8). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I2 (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM(Dipp))(OtBu)3(I)] (9), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM(Dipp))(OtBu)3]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph2CO to form [U(BIPM(Dipp))(μ-Cl)4(Li)2(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] (10) and [U(BIPM(Dipp))(Cl)(μ-Cl)2(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh2)] (11). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph2CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh2)2C=C(H)Ph (12). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph2CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early-metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U=C double bonds.

Synthesis and structure of [U{C(PPh2NMes)2}2] (Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2): A homoleptic uranium bis(carbene) complex with two formal UC double bonds

Treatment of H2C(PPh2NMes)2 (1, Mes = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2) with two equivalents of ButLi afforded the methandiide complex [Li2{C(PPh2NMes)2}2]2 (2); reaction of 2 with [UI3(THF)4] gave [U{C(PPh2NMes)2}2] (3), which is the first homoleptic uranium bis(carbene) complex with two formal U=C double bonds.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Uranium(VI) Carbene Imido Oxo Complex†

We report the uranium(VI) carbene imido oxo complex [U(BIPMTMS)(NMes)(O)(DMAP)2] (5, BIPMTMS=C(PPh2NSiMe3)2; Mes=2,4,6-Me3C6H2; DMAP=4-(dimethylamino)pyridine) which exhibits the unprecedented arrangement of three formal multiply bonded ligands to one metal center where the coordinated heteroatoms derive from different element groups. This complex was prepared by incorporation of carbene, imido, and then oxo groups at the uranium center by salt elimination, protonolysis, and two-electron oxidation, respectively. The oxo and imido groups adopt axial positions in a T-shaped motif with respect to the carbene, which is consistent with an inverse trans-influence. Complex 5 reacts with tert-butylisocyanate at the imido rather than carbene group to afford the uranyl(VI) carbene complex [U(BIPMTMS)(O)2(DMAP)2] (6).

Multimetallic Cooperativity in Uranium-Mediated CO2 Activation

The metal-mediated redox transformation of CO2 in mild conditions is an area of great current interest. The role of cooperativity between a reduced metal center and a Lewis acid center in small-molecule activation is increasingly recognized, but has not so far been investigated for f-elements. Here we show that the presence of potassium at a U, K site supported by sterically demanding tris(tert-butoxy)siloxide ligands induces a large cooperative effect in the reduction of CO2. Specifically, the ion pair complex [K(18c6)][U(OSi(O(t)Bu)3)4], 1, promotes the selective reductive disproportionation of CO2 to yield CO and the mononuclear uranium(IV) carbonate complex [U(OSi(O(t)Bu)3)4(μ-κ(2):κ(1)-CO3)K2(18c6)], 4. In contrast, the heterobimetallic complex [U(OSi(O(t)Bu)3)4K], 2, promotes the potassium-assisted two-electron reductive cleavage of CO2, yielding CO and the U(V) terminal oxo complex [UO(OSi(O(t)Bu)3)4K], 3, thus providing a remarkable example of two-electron transfer in U(III) chemistry. DFT studies support the presence of a cooperative effect of the two metal centers in the transformation of CO2.

Synthesis and reactivity of the yttrium-alkyl-carbene complex [Y(BIPM)(CH2C6H5)(THF)] (BIPM = {C(PPh2NSiMe3)2})

Reaction of [YI(3)(THF)(3.5)] with three equivalents of [KBz] (Bz = CH(2)C(6)H(5)) affords the tri-benzyl complex [Y(Bz)(3)(THF)(3)] () in excellent yield. Complex reacts with H(2)C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2) (H(2)BIPM) to afford the yttrium-alkyl-carbene complex [Y(BIPM)(Bz)(THF)] (, BIPM = {C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2)}). Compound reacts with one equivalent of benzophenone to give the alkoxy 1,2-migratory insertion product [Y(BIPM)(OCPh(2)Bz)(THF)] () rather than the alkene Wittig-product Ph(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))(2). Reaction of with one or more equivalents of benzophenone does not afford any detectable alkene products, rather it apparently catalyses rearrangement of monomeric to afford dimeric [{Y(micro-BIPM)(OCPh(2)Bz)}(2)] (). Investigations reveal that formation of is proportional to the amount of benzophenone added, but the benzophenone is recovered at the end of the reaction. Reaction of with diphenyldiazene affords the 1,2-migratory insertion product [Y(BIPM){N(Ph)N(Ph)(Bz)}(THF)] () Compounds , , , , and have been variously characterised by X-ray crystallography, multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and CHN micro-analyses. Density functional theory calculations on reveal the HOMO to be localised at the Y-C(alkyl) bond which is commensurate with the observed reactivity.

Covalent Uranium Carbene Chemistry

After seminal reports of covalent uranium carbene U˭C complexes in the 1980s by Gilje, the area fell dormant for around 30 years. However, in the past five years, there has been a resurgence of interest in the area. Despite recent advances, the classification of these U˭C complexes as either methanediides, carbenes, or alkylidenes has remained a contentious issue. Herein, we review U˭C complexes reported to date, along with reactivity and computational studies, and conclude that although U˭C complexes sit midway on the continuum between rare-earth methanediides and Schrock-type alkylidenes, they can be justifiably described as carbenes. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT