Molecular uranium(II) and uranium(I) complexes: advances in synthesis and emerging reactivity patterns

The performance of density functional theory for the description of ground and excited state properties of inorganic and organometallic uranium compounds

Molecular nitrogen (N2) is cheap and widely available, but its unreactive nature is a challenge when attempting to functionalize it under mild conditions with other widely available substrates (such as carbon monoxide, CO) to produce value-added compounds. Biological N2 fixation can do this, but the industrial Haber-Bosch process for ammonia production operates under harsh conditions (450 degrees Celsius and 300 bar), even though both processes are thought to involve multimetallic catalytic sites. And although molecular complexes capable of binding and even reducing N2 under mild conditions are known, with co-operativity between metal centres considered crucial for the N2 reduction step, the multimetallic species involved are usually not well defined, and further transformation of N2-binding complexes to achieve N-H or N-C bond formation is rare. Haber noted, before an iron-based catalyst was adopted for the industrial Haber-Bosch process, that uranium and uranium nitride materials are very effective heterogeneous catalysts for ammonia production from N2. However, few examples of uranium complexes binding N2 are known, and soluble uranium complexes capable of transforming N2 into ammonia or organonitrogen compounds have not yet been identified. Here we report the four-electron reduction of N2 under ambient conditions by a fully characterized complex with two Uiii ions and three K+ centres held together by a nitride group and a flexible metalloligand framework. The addition of H2 and/or protons, or CO to the resulting complex results in the complete cleavage of N2 with concomitant N2 functionalization through N-H or N-C bond-forming reactions. These observations establish that a molecular uranium complex can promote the stoichiometric transformation of N2 into NH3 or cyanate, and that a flexible, electron-rich, multimetallic, nitride-bridged core unit is a promising starting point for the design of molecular complexes capable of cleaving and functionalizing N2 under mild conditions.

The Haber-Bosch process produces ammonia (NH3) from dinitrogen (N2) and dihydrogen (H2), but requires high temperature and pressure. Before iron-based catalysts were exploited in the current industrial Haber-Bosch process, uranium-based materials served as effective catalysts for production of NH3 from N2. Although some molecular uranium complexes are known to be capable of combining with N2, further hydrogenation with H2 forming NH3 has not been reported to date. Here, we describe the first example of N2 cleavage and hydrogenation with H2 to NH3 with a molecular uranium complex. The N2 cleavage product contains three uranium centers that are bridged by three imido μ 2-NH ligands and one nitrido μ 3-N ligand. Labeling experiments with 15Ndemonstrate that the nitrido ligand in the product originates from N2. Reaction of the N2-cleaved complex with H2 or H+ forms NH3 under mild conditions. A synthetic cycle has been established by the reaction of the N2-cleaved complex with trimethylsilyl chloride. The isolation of this trinuclear imido-nitrido product implies that a multi-metallic uranium assembly plays an important role in the activation of N2.

The Lewis base stabilized uranium phosphinidene (η5-C5Me5)2U(═P-2,4,6-tBu3C6H2)(OPMe3) (2), which was derived from (η5-C5Me5)2U(Cl)Me (1) and 2,4,6-(Me3C)3C6H2PHK in toluene in the presence of Me3PO, was originally reported in 1996, but since then its reactivity toward small organic molecules has not been extensively explored. This contribution closes this gap, and divergent reactivity patterns are established in the reaction of complex 2 toward (small) organic substrates. For example, complex 2 may release the phosphinidene moiety (2,4,6-tBu3C6H2P:) and therefore may act as a source of a (η5-C5Me5)2UII fragment in the presence of Ph2S2, Ph2Se2, bipy, ketazine (Ph2C═N)2, and conjugated alkynes RC≡CC≡CR, forming the disulfido compound (η5-C5Me5)2U(SPh)2 (5), diselenido compound (η5-C5Me5)2U(SePh)2 (6), bipy compound (η5-C5Me5)2U(bipy) (8), diiminato compound (η5-C5Me5)2U(N═CPh2)2 (9) and the metallacyclopentatrienes (η5-C5Me5)2U[η4-C4(R)2] (R = Ph (10), Me3Si (11)), respectively. Furthermore, compound 2 may also straightforwardly react with terminal alkynes and a variety of heterounsaturated (organic) molecules such as CS2, isothiocyanates, imines, diazenes, carbodiimides, nitriles, isonitriles, and organic azides. For instance, on treatment with phenylacetylene (PhC≡CH) the dialkynyl uranium complex (η5-C5Me5)2U(C2Ph)2(OPMe3) (12) is formed, whereas CS2 and PhNCS furnish the carbodithioates (η5-C5Me5)2U[SC(═P-2,4,6-tBu3C6H2)S](OPMe3) (13) and (η5-C5Me5)2U[SC(═NPh)S](OPMe3) (14), respectively. In the reaction of the secondary aldimine PhCH═NPh or the diazene PhN═NPh and 2 the uranium(IV) imido complex (η5-C5Me5)2U(═NPh)(OPMe3) (15) is isolated, which is in contrast to its reactivity with the primary ketimine 9-(C12H8)C═NH and the carbodiimides (RN═)2C, yielding the diiminato uranium(VI) complex (η5-C5Me5)2U[N═C(C12H8)]2 (16) and the four-membered uranaheterocycles (η5-C5Me5)2U[N(R)C(═P-2,4,6-tBu3C6H2)N(R)] (R = C6H11 (17), iPr (18)), respectively. Furthermore, treatment of 2 with nitriles RCN affords the imido uranium(IV) complexes (η5-C5Me5)2U[═NC(═P-2,4,6-tBu3C6H2)R](OPMe3) (R = C6H11 (19), Me3C (20)), whereas isonitriles RNC furnish the metallaaziridines (η5-C5Me5)2U[C(═P-2,4,6-tBu3C6H2)N(R)](OPMe3) (R = C6H11 (21), 2,6-Me2Ph (22)). However, in the reaction with organic azides RCN3, complex 2 yields the imido uranium(IV) complexes (η5-C5Me5)2U(═NR)(OPMe3) (R = Ph3C (23), p-tolyl (24)) as a result of 3,3-Me2-5,7-tBu2C8H5P (7) formation and N2 release. The new compounds 12–24 were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Furthermore, with complex 2 in hand a comparison between the reactivity of uranium phosphinidenes differing in the steric bulk of its cyclopentadienyl ligands and the effects of a Lewis base (OPMe3) adduct was undertaken.

The synthesis, electronic structure, and reactivity of a uranium metallacyclopropene were comprehensively studied. Addition of diphenylacetylene (PhC≡CPh) to the uranium phosphinidene metallocene [η 5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2]2U=P‐2,4,6‐tBu3C6H2 (1) yields the stable uranium metallacyclopropene, [η 5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2]2U[η 2‐C2Ph2] (2). Based on density functional theory (DFT) results the 5f orbital contributions to the bonding within the metallacyclopropene U‐(η 2‐C=C) moiety increases significantly compared to the related ThIV compound [η 5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2]2Th[η 2‐C2Ph2], which also results in more covalent bonds between the [η 5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2]2U2+ and [η 2‐C2Ph2]2− fragments. Although the thorium and uranium complexes are structurally closely related, different reaction patterns are therefore observed. For example, 2 reacts as a masked synthon for the low‐valent uranium(II) metallocene [η 5‐1,2,4‐(Me3C)3C5H2]2UII when reacted with Ph2E2 (E=S, Se), alkynes and a variety of hetero‐unsaturated molecules such as imines, ketazine, bipy, nitriles, organic azides, and azo derivatives. In contrast, five‐membered metallaheterocycles are accessible when 2 is treated with isothiocyanate, aldehydes, and ketones.

Review: 145 refs.

Over the last 15 years or so, it has been shown that low‐valent, electron‐rich uranium(III) complexes exhibit a wide variety of reactivity towards small molecules. As a result, the field of uranium‐mediated small‐molecule activation chemistry has undergone significant development in recent years. The classical organometallic reactivity patterns of oxidative addition and reductive elimination that dominate the chemistry of transition‐metal complexes are much less common for uranium. Owing to the invocation of the 5f orbitals for bonding and the highly polarising nature of the actinide centre, the prevalent reactivity observed for non‐aqueous uranium compounds is that of migratory insertion, σ‐bond metathesis and redox activity, and this can account for the often unexpected chemistry encountered with these species. This microreview focuses on the activation chemistry of trivalent uranium complexes towards the important small molecules dinitrogen (N2), nitric oxide (NO), azide (N3–), carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) bis(alkyl) complexes of the type (C5Me5)2AnR2 (An = U, Th; R = CH3, CH2Ph) activate the sp2 and sp3 hybridized C-H bonds in pyridine N-oxide and lutidine N-oxide to produce the corresponding cyclometalated complexes, (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ONC5H4] and (C5Me5)2An(R)[eta2-(O,C)-ON-2-CH2-5-CH3-C5H3]. These provide rare examples of C-H activation chemistry mediated by actinide metal centers. This chemistry is in contrast to the known oxygen atom transfer reactivity patterns of pyridine N-oxides with oxophilic metal complexes and constitutes a new mode of reactivity for pyridine N-oxides.

Interconversion of the oxidation states of uranium enables separations and reactivity schemes involving this element and contributes to technologies for recycling of spent nuclear fuels. The redox behaviors of uranium species impact these processes, but use of electrochemical methods to drive reactions of molecular uranium complexes and to obtain molecular insights into the outcomes of electrode-driven reactions has received far less attention than it deserves. Here, we show that electro-reduction of the uranyl ion (UO22+) can be used to promote stepwise functionalization of the typically unreactive oxo groups with exogenous triphenylborane (BPh3) serving as a moderate electrophile, avoiding the conventional requirement for a chemical reductant. Parallel electroanalytical, spectrochemical, and chemical reactivity studies, supported by spectroscopic findings and structural data from X-ray diffraction analysis on key reduced and borylated products, demonstrate that our electrochemical approach largely avoids undesired cross reactions and disproportionation pathways; these usually impact the multicomponent systems needed for uranyl functionalization chemistry. Joint computational studies have been used to map the changes associated with U-O activation and to quantify the free energy differences related to key reactions. Taken together, the results suggest that electrochemical methods can be used for selective interconversion of molecular actinide species, reminiscent of methods commonly employed in transition metal redox catalysis.

Molecular uranium nitride complexes were prepared to relate their small molecule reactivity to the nature of the U[double bond, length as m-dash]N[double bond, length as m-dash]U bonding imposed by the supporting ligand. The U4+-U4+ nitride complexes, [NBu4][{(( t BuO)3SiO)3U}2(μ-N)], [NBu4]-1, and [NBu4][((Me3Si)2N)3U}2(μ-N)], 2, were synthesised by reacting NBu4N3 with the U3+ complexes, [U(OSi(O t Bu)3)2(μ-OSi(O t Bu)3)]2 and [U(N(SiMe3)2)3], respectively. Oxidation of 2 with AgBPh4 gave the U4+-U5+ analogue, [((Me3Si)2N)3U}2(μ-N)], 4. The previously reported methylene-bridged U4+-U4+ nitride [Na(dme)3][((Me3Si)2)2U(μ-N)(μ-κ2-C,N-CH2SiMe2NSiMe3)U(N(SiMe3)2)2] (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane), [Na(dme)3]-3, provided a versatile precursor for the synthesis of the mixed-ligand U4+-U4+ nitride complex, [Na(dme)3][((Me3Si)2N)3U(μ-N)U(N(SiMe3)2)(OSi(O t Bu)3)], 5. The reactivity of the 1-5 complexes was assessed with CO2, CO, and H2. Complex [NBu4]-1 displays similar reactivity to the previously reported heterobimetallic complex, [Cs{(( t BuO)3SiO)3U}2(μ-N)], [Cs]-1, whereas the amide complexes 2 and 4 are unreactive with these substrates. The mixed-ligand complexes 3 and 5 react with CO and CO2 but not H2. The nitride complexes [NBu4]-1, 2, 4, and 5 along with their small molecule activation products were structurally characterized. Magnetic data measured for the all-siloxide complexes [NBu4]-1 and [Cs]-1 show uncoupled uranium centers, while strong antiferromagnetic coupling was found in complexes containing amide ligands, namely 2 and 5 (with maxima in the χ versus T plot of 90 K and 55 K). Computational analysis indicates that the U(μ-N) bond order decreases with the introduction of oxygen-based ligands effectively increasing the nucleophilicity of the bridging nitride.

Although examples of multiple bonds between actinide elements and main-group elements are quite common, studies of the multiple bonds between actinide elements and transition metals are extremely rare owing to difficulties associated with their synthesis. Here we report the first example of molecular uranium complexes featuring a cis-[M U M] core (M=Rh, Ir), which exhibits an unprecedented arrangement of two M U double dative bond linkages to a single U center. These complexes were prepared by the reactions of chlorine-bridged heterometallic complexes [{U{N(CH3 )(CH2 CH2 NPi Pr2 )2 }(Cl)2 [(μ-Cl)M(COD)]2 }] (M=Rh, Ir) with MeMgBr or MeLi, a new method for the construction of species with U-M multiple bonds. Theoretical calculations including dispersion confirmed the presence of two U M double dative bonds in these complexes. This study not only enriches the U M multiple bond chemistry, but also provides a new opportunity to explore the bonding of actinide elements.

To further our fundamental understanding of the nature and extent of covalency in uranium-ligand bonding, and the benefits that this may have for the design of new ligands for nuclear waste separation, there is burgeoning interest in the nature of uranium complexes with soft- and multiple-bond-donor ligands. Despite this, there have so far been no examples of structurally authenticated molecular uranium-arsenic bonds under ambient conditions. Here, we report molecular uranium(IV)-arsenic complexes featuring formal single, double and triple U-As bonding interactions. Compound formulations are supported by a range of characterization techniques, and theoretical calculations suggest the presence of polarized covalent one-, two- and threefold bonding interactions between uranium and arsenic in parent arsenide [U-AsH2], terminal arsinidene [U=AsH] and arsenido [U≡AsK2] complexes, respectively. These studies inform our understanding of the bonding of actinides with soft donor ligands and may be of use in future ligand design in this area.

Synthetic studies on the redox chemistry of trivalent uranium monoarene complexes were undertaken with a complex derived from the chelating tris(aryloxide)arene ligand ((Ad,Me) ArO)3 mes(3-) . Cyclic voltammetry of [{((Ad,Me) ArO)3 mes}U(III) ] (1) revealed a nearly reversible and chemically accessible reduction at -2.495 V vs. Fc/Fc(+) -the first electrochemical evidence for a formally divalent uranium complex. Chemical reduction of 1 indicates that reduction induces coordination and redox isomerization to form a uranium(IV) hydride, and addition of a crown ether results in hydride insertion into the coordinated arene to afford uranium(IV) complexes. This stoichiometric reaction sequence provides structural insight into the mechanism of arene functionalization at diuranium inverted sandwich complexes.

Uranyl ions, {UO2}n+ (n = 1, 2), display trans, strongly covalent, and chemically robust U-O multiple bonds, where 6d, 5f, and 6p orbitals play important roles. The synthesis of isoelectronic analogues of uranyl has been of interest for quite some time, mainly with the purpose of unveiling covalence and 5f-orbital participation in bonding. Significant advances have occurred in the last two decades, initially marked by the synthesis of uranium(VI) bis(imido) complexes, the first analogues with a {RNUNR}2+ core, later followed by the synthesis of unique trans-{EUO}2+ (E = S, Se) complexes, and recently highlighted by the synthesis of the first complexes featuring a linear {NUN} moiety. This review covers the synthesis, structure, bonding, and reactivity of uranium complexes containing a linear {EUE}n+ core (n = 0, 1, 2), isoelectronic to uranyl ions, {OUO}n+ (n = 1, 2), incorporating σ- and π-donating ligands that can engage in uranium–ligand multiple bonding, where oxygen may be replaced by heavier chalcogenido, imido, nitride, and carbene ligands, or by a transition metal. It focuses on synthetic methods of well-defined molecular uranium species in the condensed phase but also references gas-phase and low-temperature-matrix experiments, as well as computational studies that may lead to valuable insights.

This chapter reviews the reaction chemistry of uranium complexes with small molecules of industrial and biological importance. Specifically, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), dinitrogen (N2), dioxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), dihydrogen (H2), saturated hydrocarbons, unsaturated hydrocarbons (alkenes, alkynes, and arenes), and water (H2O) are covered. This chapter is limited to molecular systems, and, where appropriate, comparisons with lanthanide or transition metal systems will be made, but are by no means exhaustive. Small-molecule activation studies with uranium do allow for the correlation of molecular–electronic structure/reactivity relationships. These fundamental studies may provide the design criteria for valuable chemical processes and for the development of nuclear waste remediation technologies.