Synthesis, characterization, and x-ray structure of {[K(THF)2]2[U(NH-2,6-iso-Pr2C6H3)5]}.cntdot.THF

Abstract

In continuing studies of uranium in the trivalent oxidation state, the authors have discovered UI[sub 3](THF)[sub 4] to be a convenient precursor to U(III) coordination and organometallic complexes, owing to its clean metathesis reactions with potassium and sodium salts of a variety of alkoxide, amide, cyclopentadienyl, and pentadienyl ligands. In contrast to the relatively clean products obtained by metathesis with dialkylamides, treatment of UI[sub 3](THF)[sub 4] with 3 equiv of the potassium salt of 2,6-diisopropylaniline (NH[sub 2]Ar) yields intractable products. The nature of the products formed in these 3:1 reactions of potassium monoalkyl amides are still under investigation. They have determined, however, that the reaction of UI[sub 3](THF)[sub 4] with excess potassium 2,6-diisopropylanilide cleanly gives the brown crystalline title complex. They describe here the X-ray structure of ([K(THF)[sub 2]][sub 2][U(NH-2,6-i-Pr[sub 2]C[sub 6]H[sub 3])[sub 5]]) [center dot] THF and some of its physical properties.