Enhancing the reactivity of uranium(VI) organoimido complexes with diazoalkanes

Chem Commun (Camb). 2002 Jan 7:(1):30-1. doi: 10.1039/b109455f.

Abstract

Diphenyldiazomethane effects a two-electron oxidation of the uranium(IV) monoimido complex (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-t-Bu3C6H2) to give the uranium(VI) mixed bis(imido) complex, (C5Me5)2U(=N-2,4,6-t-Bu3C6H2)(=N-N=CPh2), which undergoes a rare cyclometallation reaction upon mild thermolysis to afford a uranium(IV) bis(amide) complex that results from net addition of a C-H bond of an ortho tert-butyl group across the N=U=N core.