Reactions of Aromatic Heterocycles with Uranium Alkyl Complexes

The reactivity of a uranium dibenzyl complex supported by a ferrocenediamide ligand toward aromatic N-heterocycles was investigated. The uranium dibenzyl complex reacted with 1 equiv of pyridine or picoline to give the respective ortho-metalated product. In turn, the η2-N,C-pyridyl complexes reacted with benzoxazole or benzothiazole, leading to a cascade of transformations that involves C−C coupling of the two heterocyclic rings, ring opening, and alkyl transfer. A similar cascade was previously reported for 1-methylimidazole. The present results provide support for the mechanism proposed earlier and attest to the generality of the reaction cascade described.