Analysis of Uranium Azide and Nitride Complexes by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) has been used to characterize the air-sensitive paramagnetic organouranium azide and nitride complexes [(C5Me5)2UN3(μ-N3)]3 and [(C5Me5)U(μ-I)2]3N, respectively. The trimetallic complex [(C5Me5)U(μ-I)2]3E had been identified by X-ray crystallography, but the data did not definitively identify E as N3- versus O2- or (OH)-, a common problem in heavy-element nitride complexes involving metals with variable oxidation states. A comparison of the 250 °C APCI-MS spectra of products made from NaN3 and Na15NNN showed mixed [M]+ and [M + H]+ envelopes at expected ion intensities for the 14N and 15N isotopomers. A compilation of U−C(C5Me5) and U−I bond distance data for U3+ and U4+ is also reported that shows that the ranges for the two oxidation states have significant overlap.