Synthesis of Uranium–Ligand Multiple Bonds by Cleavage of a Trityl Protecting Group

Addition of KSCPh3 to [U­(NR2)3] (R = SiMe3) in tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of 18-crown-6, results in formation of the U­(IV) sulfide, [K­(18-crown-6)]­[U­(S)­(NR2)3] (1) and Gomberg’s dimer. Similarly, addition of KOCPh3 to [U­(NR2)3] in tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of 18-crown-6, results in formation of the U­(IV) oxide, [K­(18-crown-6)]­[U­(O)­(NR2)3] (3). Also observed in this transformation are the triphenylmethyl anion, [K­(18-crown-6)­(THF)2]­[CPh3] (5), and the U­(IV) alkoxide, [U­(OCPh3)­(NR2)3] (4).