Complexes Featuring a cis-(Formula Presented.) Core (M=Rh, Ir): A New Route to Uranium-Metal Multiple Bonds

Although examples of multiple bonds between actinide elements and main-group elements are quite common, studies of the multiple bonds between actinide elements and transition metals are extremely rare owing to difficulties associated with their synthesis. Here we report the first example of molecular uranium complexes featuring a cis-[M (Formula presented.) U (Formula presented.) M] core (M=Rh, Ir), which exhibits an unprecedented arrangement of two M (Formula presented.) U double dative bond linkages to a single U center. These complexes were prepared by the reactions of chlorine-bridged heterometallic complexes [{U{N(CH3)(CH2CH2NPiPr2)2}(Cl)2[(μ-Cl)M(COD)]2}] (M=Rh, Ir) with MeMgBr or MeLi, a new method for the construction of species with U−M multiple bonds. Theoretical calculations including dispersion confirmed the presence of two U (Formula presented.) M double dative bonds in these complexes. This study not only enriches the U (Formula presented.) M multiple bond chemistry, but also provides a new opportunity to explore the bonding of actinide elements. © 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.