Uranium complexes with amide, alkoxide and thiolate ligands

Alkoxide, hydroxide and μ-oxo complexes of U(IV) have been synthesized by (a) the reaction of alcohols, ketones and water with hydride or borohydride derivatives, (b) the coupling reaction of ketones with UCl4 in the presence of sodium amalgam; (c) the reduction of CO2 by [U(C5H4SiMe3)3] or [U(C5H4SiMe3)3H]; (d) the deoxygenation of CO by [U(C5H5)3R] complexes; and (e) condensation reactions of alkoxide and hydroxide compounds. Thiolate complexes were made by the treatment of uranium borohydride or hydride compounds with thiols. The reaction of UCl4 with NaSR reagents afforded the homoleptic thiolate complexes [(THF)3Na(μ-SR)3U(μ-SR)3Na(THF)3]. Amide compounds, including U(V) derivatives, were prepared from U(NEt2)4.