Insertion of isocyanides into actinoid–nitrogen bonds of biscyclopentadienyluranium mono- and bis-(dialkylamides)

Abstract

Isocyanides react readily with Ucp2(NEt2)2(cp = cyclopentadienyl) and U(C5Me5)2(NEt2)Cl giving iminoalkylamido insertion compounds: starting from Ucp2(NEt2)2 and an excess of isocyanide or form the monoinserted compound, a second insertion occurs, affording the highly symmetrical bis(iminoalkylamido) compounds; 1H n.m.r. data indicate the importance of a ‘carbenoid’ resonance hybrid and nitrogen lone-pair donation to the ‘carbenoid’ carbon atom.