Reactivity of the uranium-nitrogen bond: Insertion of isocyanides

Abstract

Isocyanides react readily with UCp 2(NEt 2) 2 (Cp ≡ cyclopentadienyl) and U(C 5Me 5) 2(NEt 2)Cl giving iminoalkylamido insertion compounds. Starting from UCp 2(NEt 2) 2 and an excess of isocyanide or from the monoinserted compound, a second insertion occurs, affording the high symmetrical bisiminoalkylamido compounds. 1H NMR data are indicative of the importance of a “carbenoid” resonance hybrid and of the nitrogen lone-pair donation to the “carbenoid” carbon atom.