Unique Molecular Structure of the Actinide Hydrido Aryloxide Complex Th3(.mu.3-H)2(.mu.2-H)4(O-2,6-t-Bu2C6H3)6

Abstract

During our ongoing investigations into the alkoxide and aryloxide chemistry of the early actinide elements, we have isolated and structurally characterized a thorium polyhydride complex supported solely by aryloxide ligands which possesses a highly unusual molecular geometry. We report here initial details of the synthesis, characterization, and solid-state molecular structure of Th{sub 3}H{sub 6}(O-2,6-t-Bu{sub 2}C{sub 6}H{sub 3}){sub 6} (3). The overall molecular structure of 3 comprises a triangular arrangement of three thorium metal centers, in which each face of the trimer is capped by a {mu}{sub 3}-H ligand, and each thorium bears two terminal aryloxide ligands. Four {mu}{sub 2}-H ligands bridging the thorium atoms complete the coordination sphere. 18 refs., 1 fig.