Uranium(iii) and thorium(iv) alkyl complexes as potential starting materials

Abstract

The synthesis and characterisation of a rare U(III) alkyl complex, U[η⁴-Me₂NC(H)C₆H₅]₃, using the dimethylbenzylamine (DMBA) ligand has been accomplished. While attempting to prepare the U(IV) compound, reduction to the U(III) complex occurred. In the analogous Th(IV) system, C–H bond activation of a methyl group of one dimethylamine was observed yielding Th[η⁴-Me₂NC(H)C₆H₅]₂[η⁵-(CH₂)MeNC(H)C₆H₅] with a dianionic DMBA ligand. The utility of these complexes as starting materials has been analyzed using a bulky dithiocarboxylate ligand to yield tetravalent actinide species.