Mechanochemical Synthesis of a Sodium Anion Complex [Na+(2,2,2-cryptand)Na-] and Studies of Its Reactivity: Two-Electron and One-Electron Reductions.

Group 1 metal molecular chemistry is dominated by a +1 oxidation state, while a 0 oxidation state is widespread in the metals. A more exotic, yet still available, oxidation state of group 1 metal is -1, i.e., alkalide. Reported as early as the 1970s, the alkalides appear in every modern inorganic chemistry textbook as an iconic chemical curiosity, yet their reactivity remains unexplored. This is due to their synthetic hurdles. In this work, we report the first facile synthesis of the archetypical alkalide complex, [Na+(2,2,2-cryptand)Na-], which allows us to unveil a versatile reactivity profile of this once exotic species.

Reduction of K+ or Li+ in the Heterobimetallic Electride K+[LiN(SiMe3)2]e.

Given their very negative redox potential (e.g., Li+ → Li(0), -3.04 V; K+ → K(0), -2.93 V), chemical reduction of Group-1 metal cations is one of the biggest challenges in inorganic chemistry: they are widely accepted as irreducible in the synthetic chemistry regime. Their reduction usually requires harsh electrochemical conditions. Herein we suggest a new strategy: via a heterobimetallic electride intermediate and using the nonbinding "free" electron as reductant. Based on our previously reported K+[LiN(SiMe3)2]e- heterobimetallic electride, we demonstrate the reducibility of both K+ and Li+ cations. Moreover, we find that external Lewis base ligands, namely tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6Tren) or 2,2,2-cryptand, can exert a level of reducing selectivity by preferably binding to Li+ (Me6Tren) or K+ (2,2,2-cryptand), hence pushing the electron to the other cation.

Li vs Na: Divergent Reaction Patterns between Organolithium and Organosodium Complexes and Ligand-Catalyzed Ketone/Aldehyde Methylenation.

Organosodium chemistry is underdeveloped compared with organolithium chemistry, and all the reported organosodium complexes exhibit similar, if not identical, reactivity patterns to their lithium counterparts. Herein, we report a rare organosodium monomeric complex, namely, [Na(CH2SiMe3)(Me6Tren)] (1-Na) (Me6Tren: tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine) stabilized by a tetra-dentate neutral amine ligand Me6Tren. Employing organo-carbonyl substrates (ketones, aldehydes, amides, ester), we demonstrated that 1-Na features distinct reactivity patterns compared with its lithium counterpart, [Li(CH2SiMe3)(Me6Tren)] (1-Li). Based on this knowledge, we further developed a ligand-catalysis strategy to conduct ketone/aldehyde methylenations, using [NaCH2SiMe3]∞ as the CH2 feedstock, replacing the widely used but hazardous/expensive C═O methylenation methods, such as Wittig, Tebbe, Julia/Julia-Kocienski, Peterson, and so on.

Carbene Complexes of Neptunium.

Since the advent of organotransuranium chemistry six decades ago, structurally verified complexes remain restricted to π-bonded carbocycle and σ-bonded hydrocarbyl derivatives. Thus, transuranium-carbon multiple or dative bonds are yet to be reported. Here, utilizing diphosphoniomethanide precursors we report the synthesis and characterization of transuranium-carbene derivatives, namely, diphosphonio-alkylidene- and N-heterocyclic carbene-neptunium(III) complexes that exhibit polarized-covalent σ2π2 multiple and dative σ2 single transuranium-carbon bond interactions, respectively. The reaction of [NpIIII3(THF)4] with [Rb(BIPMTMSH)] (BIPMTMSH = {HC(PPh2NSiMe3)2}1-) affords [(BIPMTMSH)NpIII(I)2(THF)] (3Np) in situ, and subsequent treatment with the N-heterocyclic carbene {C(NMeCMe)2} (IMe4) allows isolation of [(BIPMTMSH)NpIII(I)2(IMe4)] (4Np). Separate treatment of in situ prepared 3Np with benzyl potassium in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) affords [(BIPMTMS)NpIII(I)(DME)] (5Np, BIPMTMS = {C(PPh2NSiMe3)2}2-). Analogously, addition of benzyl potassium and IMe4 to 4Np gives [(BIPMTMS)NpIII(I)(IMe4)2] (6Np). The synthesis of 3Np-6Np was facilitated by adopting a scaled-down prechoreographed approach using cerium synthetic surrogates. The thorium(III) and uranium(III) analogues of these neptunium(III) complexes are currently unavailable, meaning that the synthesis of 4Np-6Np provides an example of experimental grounding of 5f- vs 5f- and 5f- vs 4f-element bonding and reactivity comparisons being led by nonaqueous transuranium chemistry rather than thorium and uranium congeners. Computational analysis suggests that these NpIII═C bonds are more covalent than UIII═C, CeIII═C, and PmIII═C congeners but comparable to analogous UIV═C bonds in terms of bond orders and total metal contributions to the M═C bonds. A preliminary assessment of NpIII═C reactivity has introduced multiple bond metathesis to transuranium chemistry, extending the range of known metallo-Wittig reactions to encompass actinide oxidation states III-VI.

A Series of Rare-Earth Mesoionic Carbene Complexes.

We report the synthesis and characterisation of a series of rare-earth mesoionic carbene complexes, [RE{N(SiMe3 )2 }3 {CN(Me)C(Me)N(Me)CH}] (3RE, RE=Sc, Ce, Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu), greatly expanding the limited library of f-block mesoionic carbene complexes. These complexes were prepared by treatment of the parent RE-triamides with an N-heterocyclic olefin (NHO), where an NHO backbone proton undergoes a formal 1,4-proton migration to the NHO-methylene group. For all RE(III) metals, as expected, quantum chemical calculations suggest only a σ-component to the metal-carbene bonding, in contrast to a previously reported uranium(III) congener where the 5f3 metal engages in a weak π-back-bond to the MIC. All complexes were characterised by static variable-temperature magnetic measurements, and dynamic magnetic measurements reveal that 3Dy and 3Er are field-induced single-molecule magnets (SMMs), with Ueff energy barriers of 35 and 128 K, respectively. Complex 3Dy is, as expected, a poorly performing SMM, but conversely 3Er performs unexpectedly well.

Versatile Coordination Modes of Multidentate Neutral Amine Ligands with Group 1 Metal Cations.

This work comprehensively investigated the coordination chemistry of a hexa-dentate neutral amine ligand, namely, N,N',N"-tris-(2-N-diethylaminoethyl)-1,4,7-triaza-cyclononane (DETAN), with group-1 metal cations (Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, Cs+). Versatile coordination modes were observed, from four-coordinate trigonal pyramidal to six-coordinate trigonal prismatic, depending on the metal ionic radii and metal's substituent. For comparison, the coordination chemistry of a tetra-dentate tris-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6Tren) ligand was also studied. This work defines the available coordination modes of two multidentate amine ligands (DETAN and Me6Tren), guiding future applications of these ligands for pursuing highly reactive and elusive s-block and rare-earth metal complexes.

Elucidating Solution-State Coordination Modes of Multidentate Neutral Amine Ligands with Group-1 Metal Cations: Variable-Temperature NMR Studies.

Multidentate neutral amine ligands play vital roles in coordination chemistry and catalysis. In particular, these ligands are used to tune the reactivity of Group-1 metal reagents, such as organolithium reagents. Most, if not all, of these Group-1 metal reagent-mediated reactions occur in solution. However, the solution-state coordination behaviors of these ligands with Group-1 metal cations are poorly understood, compared to the plethora of solid-state structural studies based on single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) studies. In this work, we comprehensively mapped out the coordination modes with Group-1 metal cations for three multidentate neutral amine ligands: tridentate 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me3TACN), tetradentate tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6Tren), and hexadentate N,N',N″-tris-(2-N-diethylaminoethyl)-1,4,7-triaza-cyclononane (DETAN). The macrocycles in the Me3TACN and DETAN are identified as the rigid structural directing motif, with the sidearms of DETAN providing flexible "on-demand" coordination sites. In comparison, the Me6Tren ligand features more robust coordination, with the sidearms less likely to undergo the decoordinating-coordinating equilibrium. This work will provide a guidance for coordination chemists in applying these three ligands, in particular, the new DETAN ligand to design metal complexes which suit their purposes.

Electronic Structures and Unusual Chemical Bonding in Actinyl Peroxide Dimers [An2O6]2+ and [(An2O6)(12-crown-4 ether)2]2+ (An = U, Np, and Pu).

As known, actinyl peroxides play important roles in environmental transport of actinides, and they have strategic importance in the application of nuclear industry. Compared to the most studied uranyl peroxides, the studies of transuranic counterparts are still few, and more information about these species is needed. In this work, experimentally inspired actinyl peroxide dimers ([An2O6]2+, An = U, Np, and Pu) have been studied and analyzed by using density functional theory and multireference wave function methods. This study determines that the three [An2O6]2+ have unique electronic structures and oxidation states, as [(UVIO2)2(O2)2-]2+, [(NpVIIO2)2(O2-)2]2+, and mixed-valent [(PuVI/VO2)2(O2)1-]2+. This study demonstrates the significance of two bridging oxo ligands with at most four electron holes availability in ionically directing actinyl and resulting in the unusual multiradical bonding in [(PuVI/VO2)2(O2)1-]2+. In addition, thermodynamically stable 12-crown-4 ether (12C4) chelated [(An2O6)(12C4)2]2+ complexes have been predicted, that could maintain these unique electronic structures of [An2O6]2+, where the An ← O12C4 dative bonding shows a trend in binding capacity of 12C4 from κ4 (U) to κ3 (Np) and κ4 (Pu). This study reveals the interesting electronic character and bonding feature of a series of early actinide elements in peroxide complexes, which can provide insights into the intrinsic stability of An-containing species.

Decisive Role of 5f-Orbital Covalence in the Structure and Stability of Pentavalent Transuranic Oxo [M6O8] Clusters.

Actinide metal oxo clusters are of vital importance in actinide chemistry, as well as in environmental and materials sciences. They are ubiquitous in both aqueous and nonaqueous phases and play key roles in nuclear materials (e.g., nuclear fuel) and nuclear waste management. Despite their importance, our structural understanding of the actinide metal oxo clusters, particularly the transuranic ones, is very limited because of experimental challenges such as high radioactivity. Herein we report a systematic theoretical study on the structures and stabilities of seven actinide metal oxo-hydroxo clusters [AnIV6O4(OH)4L12] (1-An; An = Th-Cm; L = O2CH-) along with their group 4 (Ti, Zr, Hf, Rf) and lanthanide (Ce) counterparts [MIV6O4(OH)4L12] (1-M). The work shows the Td-symmetric structures of all of the 1-An/M clusters and suggests the positions of the -OH functional groups, which are experimentally challenging to determine. Furthermore, by removing six electrons from 1-An, we found that oxidation could happen on the AnIV metal ions, producing [AnV6O4(OH)4L12]6+ (2-An; An = Pa, U, Np), or on the O2- and OH- ligands, producing [AnIV6(O•-)4(OH•)2(OH)2L12]6+ (3-An; An = Pu, Am, Cm). On the basis of 2-An, we constructed a series of tetravalent and pentavalent actinide metal oxo clusters [AnIV6O14]4- (4-An) and [AnV6O14]2+ (5-An), which proves the feasibility of the highly important pentavalent actinyl clusters, demonstrates the f orbital's structure-directing role in the formation of linear [O≡AnV═O]+ actinyl ions, and expands the concept of actinyl-actinyl interaction into pentavalent transuranic actinyl clusters.

Scandium Terminal Imido Chemistry.

Research into transition metal complexes bearing multiply bonded main-group ligands has developed into a thriving and fruitful field over the past half century. These complexes, featuring terminal M═E/M≡E (M = transition metal; E = main-group element) multiple bonds, exhibit unique structural properties as well as rich reactivity, which render them attractive targets for inorganic/organometallic chemists as well as indispensable tools for organic/catalytic chemists. This fact has been highlighted by their widespread applications in organic synthesis, for example, as olefin metathesis catalysts. In the ongoing renaissance of transition metal-ligand multiple-bonding chemistry, there have been reports of M═E/M≡E interactions for the majority of the metallic elements of the periodic table, even some actinide metals. In stark contrast, the largest subgroup of the periodic table, rare-earth metals (Ln = Sc, Y, and lanthanides), have been excluded from this upsurge. Indeed, the synthesis of terminal Ln═E/Ln≡E multiple-bonding species lagged behind that of the transition metal and actinide congeners for decades. Although these species had been pursued since the discovery of a rare-earth metal bridging imide in 1991, such a terminal (nonpincer/bridging hapticities) Ln═E/Ln≡E bond species was not obtained until 2010. The scarcity is mainly attributed to the energy mismatch between the frontier orbitals of the metal and the ligand atoms. This renders the putative terminal Ln═E/Ln≡E bonds extremely reactive, thus resulting in the formation of aggregates and/or reaction with the ligand/environment, quenching the multiple-bond character. In 2010, the stalemate was broken by the isolation and structural characterization of the first rare-earth metal terminal imide-a scandium terminal imide-by our group. The double-bond character of the Sc═N bond was unequivocally confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Theoretical investigations revealed the presence of two p-d π bonds between the scandium ion and the nitrogen atom of the imido ligand and showed that the dianionic [NR]2- imido ligand acts as a 2σ,4π electron donor. Subsequent studies of the scandium terminal imides revealed highly versatile and intriguing reactivity of the Sc═N bond. This included cycloaddition toward various unsaturated bonds, C-H/Si-H/B-H bond activations and catalytic hydrosilylation, dehydrofluorination of fluoro-substituted benzenes/alkanes, CO2 and H2 activations, activation of elemental selenium, coordination with other transition metal halides, etc. Since our initial success in 2010, and with contributions from us and across the community, this young, vibrant research field has rapidly flourished into one of the most active frontiers of rare-earth metal chemistry. The prospect of extending Ln═N chemistry to other rare-earth metals and/or different metal oxidation states, as well as exploiting their stoichiometric and catalytic reactivities, continues to attract research effort. Herein we present an account of our investigations into scandium terminal imido chemistry as a timely summary, in the hope that our studies will be of interest to this readership.

Photolytic and Reductive Activations of 2-Arsaethynolate in a Uranium-Triamidoamine Complex: Decarbonylative Arsenic-Group Transfer Reactions and Trapping of a Highly Bent and Reduced Form.

Little is known about the chemistry of the 2-arsaethynolate anion, but to date it has exclusively undergone fragmentation reactions when reduced. Herein, we report the synthesis of [U(TrenTIPS )(OCAs)] (2, TrenTIPS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiiPr3 )3 ), which is the first isolable actinide-2-arsaethynolate linkage. UV-photolysis of 2 results in decarbonylation, but the putative [U(TrenTIPS )(As)] product was not isolated and instead only [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 (µ-η2 :η2 -As2 H2 )] (3) was formed. In contrast, reduction of 2 with [U(TrenTIPS )] gave the mixed-valence arsenido [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 (µ-As)] (4) in very low yield. Complex 4 is unstable which precluded full characterisation, but these photolytic and reductive reactions testify to the tendency of 2-arsaethynolate to fragment with CO release and As transfer. However, addition of 2 to an electride mixture of potassium-graphite and 2,2,2-cryptand gives [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 {µ-η2 (OAs):η2 (CAs)-OCAs}][K(2,2,2-cryptand)] (5). The coordination mode of the trapped 2-arsaethynolate in 5 is unique, and derives from a new highly reduced and bent form of this ligand with the most acute O-C-As angle in any complex to date (O-C-As ∠ ≈128°). The trapping rather than fragmentation of this highly reduced O-C-As unit is unprecedented, and quantum chemical calculations reveal that reduction confers donor-acceptor character to the O-C-As unit.

Trapping of a Highly Bent and Reduced Form of 2-Phosphaethynolate in a Mixed-Valence Diuranium-Triamidoamine Complex.

The chemistry of 2-phosphaethynolate is burgeoning, but there remains much to learn about this ligand, for example its reduction chemistry is scarce as this promotes P-C-O fragmentations or couplings. Here, we report that reduction of [U(TrenTIPS )(OCP)] (TrenTIPS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiPri 3 )3 ) with KC8 /2,2,2-cryptand gives [{U(TrenTIPS )}2 {µ-η2 (OP):η2 (CP)-OCP}][K(2,2,2-cryptand)]. The coordination mode of this trapped 2-phosphaethynolate is unique, and derives from an unprecedented highly reduced and highly bent form of this ligand with the most acute P-C-O angle in any complex to date (P-C-O ∡ ≈127°). The characterisation data support a mixed-valence diuranium(III/IV) formulation, where backbonding from uranium gives a highly reduced form of the P-C-O unit that is perhaps best described as a uranium-stabilised OCP2-. radical dianion. Quantum chemical calculations reveal that this gives unprecedented carbene character to the P-C-O unit, which engages in a weak donor-acceptor interaction with one of the uranium ions.

A Very Short Uranium(IV)-Rhodium(I) Bond with Net Double-Dative Bonding Character.

Reaction of [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPM)(µ-Cl)Li(TMEDA)(µ-TMEDA)0.5 ]2 (BIPM=C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ; TMEDA=Me2 NCH2 CH2 NMe2 ) with [Rh(µ-Cl)(COD)]2 (COD=cyclooctadiene) affords the heterotrimetallic UIV -RhI2 complex [U(Cl)2 {C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )(PPh[C6 H4 ]NSiMe3 )}{Rh(COD)}{Rh(CH(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}]. This complex has a very short uranium-rhodium distance, the shortest uranium-rhodium bond on record and the shortest actinide-transition metal bond in terms of formal shortness ratio. Quantum-chemical calculations reveal a remarkable RhI→→ UIV net double dative bond interaction, involving RhI 4dz2 - and 4dxy/xz -type donation into vacant UIV 5f orbitals, resulting in a Wiberg/Nalewajski-Mrozek U-Rh bond order of 1.30/1.44, respectively. Despite being, formally, purely dative, the uranium-rhodium bonding interaction is the most substantial actinide-metal multiple bond yet prepared under conventional experimental conditions, as confirmed by structural, magnetic, and computational analyses.

Silyl-Phosphino-Carbene Complexes of Uranium(IV).

Unprecedented silyl-phosphino-carbene complexes of uranium(IV) are presented, where before all covalent actinide-carbon double bonds were stabilised by phosphorus(V) substituents or restricted to matrix isolation experiments. Conversion of [U(BIPMTMS )(Cl)(µ-Cl)2 Li(THF)2 ] (1, BIPMTMS =C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ) into [U(BIPMTMS )(Cl){CH(Ph)(SiMe3 )}] (2), and addition of [Li{CH(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(THF)]/Me2 NCH2 CH2 NMe2 (TMEDA) gave [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPMTMS )(µ-Cl)Li(TMEDA)(µ-TMEDA)0.5 ]2 (3) by α-hydrogen abstraction. Addition of 2,2,2-cryptand or two equivalents of 4-N,N-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) to 3 gave [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPMTMS )(Cl)][Li(2,2,2-cryptand)] (4) or [U{C(SiMe3 )(PPh2 )}(BIPMTMS )(DMAP)2 ] (5). The characterisation data for 3-5 suggest that whilst there is evidence for 3-centre P-C-U π-bonding character, the U=C double bond component is dominant in each case. These U=C bonds are the closest to a true uranium alkylidene yet outside of matrix isolation experiments.

Synthesis and Reactivity of a Scandium Terminal Hydride: H2 Activation by a Scandium Terminal Imido Complex.

Dihydrogen is easily activated by a scandium terminal imido complex containing the weakly coordinated THF. The reaction proceeds through a 1,2-addition mechanism, which is distinct from the σ-bond metathesis mechanism reported to date for rare-earth metal-mediated H2 activation. This reaction yields a scandium terminal hydride, which is structurally well-characterized, being the first one to date. The reactivity of this hydride is reported with unsaturated substrates, further shedding light on the existence of the terminal hydride complex. Interestingly, the H2 activation can be reversible. DFT investigations further eludciate the mechanistic aspects of the reactivity of the scandium anilido-terminal hydride complex with PhNCS but also on the reversible H2 activation process.

Uranium Metalla-Allenes with Carbene Imido R2 C=U(IV) =NR' Units (R=Ph2 PNSiMe3 ; R'=CPh3 ): Alkali-Metal-Mediated Push-Pull Effects with an Amido Auxiliary.

We report uranium(IV)-carbene-imido-amide metalla-allene complexes [U(BIPM(TMS) )(NCPh3 )(NHCPh3 )(M)] (BIPM(TMS) =C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ; M=Li or K) that can be described as R2 C=U=NR' push-pull metalla-allene units, as organometallic counterparts of the well-known push-pull organic allenes. The solid-state structures reveal that the R2 C=U=NR' units adopt highly unusual cis-arrangements, which are also reproduced by gas-phase theoretical studies conducted without the alkali metals to remove their potential structure-directing roles. Computational studies confirm the double-bond nature of the U=NR' and U=CR2 interactions, the latter increasingly attenuated by potassium then lithium when compared to the hypothetical alkali-metal-free anion. Combined experimental and theoretical data show that the push-pull effect induced by the alkali metal cations and amide auxiliary gives a fundamental and tunable structural influence over the C=U(IV) =N units.

Uranium-Carbene-Imido Metalla-Allenes: Ancillary-Ligand-Controlled cis-/trans-Isomerisation and Assessment of trans Influence in the R2 C=U(IV) =NR' Unit (R=Ph2 PNSiMe3 ; R'=CPh3 ).

Uranium(IV)-carbene-imido complexes [U(BIPM(TMS) )(NCPh3 )(κ(2) -N,N'-BIPY)] (2; BIPM(TMS) =C(PPh2 NSiMe3 )2 ; BIPY=2,2-bipyridine) and [U(BIPM(TMS) )(NCPh3 )(DMAP)2 ] (3; DMAP=4-dimethylamino-pyridine) that contain unprecedented, discrete R2 C=U=NR' units are reported. These complexes complete the family of E=U=E (E=CR2 , NR, O) metalla-allenes with feasible first-row hetero-element combinations. Intriguingly, 2 and 3 contain cis- and trans-C=U=N units, respectively, representing rare examples of controllable cis/trans isomerisation in f-block chemistry. This work reveals a clear-cut example of the trans influence in a mid-valent uranium system, and thus a strong preference for the cis isomer, which is computed in a co-ligand-free truncated model-to isolate the electronic trans influence from steric contributions-to be more stable than the trans isomer by approximately 12 kJ mol(-1) with an isomerisation barrier of approximately 14 kJ mol(-1) .

The ketimide ligand is not just an inert spectator: heteroallene insertion reactivity of an actinide-ketimide linkage in a thorium carbene amide ketimide complex.

The ketimide anion R2C=N(-) is an important class of chemically robust ligand that binds strongly to metal ions and is considered ideal for supporting reactive metal fragments due to its inert spectator nature; this contrasts with R2N(-) amides that exhibit a wide range of reactivities. Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of a rare example of an actinide ketimide complex [Th(BIPM(TMS)){N(SiMe3)2}(N=CPh2)] [2, BIPM(TMS)=C(PPh2NSiMe3)2]. Complex 2 contains Th=C(carbene), Th-N(amide) and Th-N(ketimide) linkages, thereby presenting the opportunity to probe the preferential reactivity of these linkages. Importantly, reactivity studies of 2 with unsaturated substrates shows that insertion reactions occur preferentially at the Th-N(ketimide) bond rather than at the Th=C(carbene) or Th-N(amide) bonds. This overturns the established view that metal-ketimide linkages are purely inert spectators.