Mixed-ligand uranyl(V) beta-diketiminate/beta-diketonate complexes: synthesis and characterization

The reaction of [UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)Cl] 2 [Ar 2nacnac = (2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3)NC(Me)CHC(Me)N(2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3)] with Na(RC(O)CHC(O)R) (R = Me, Ph, CF 3) in tetrahydrofuran results in the formation of UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(RC(O)CHC(O)R) (R = Me, 1; Ph, 2; CF 3, 3), which can be isolated in moderate yields. The structures of 1 and 2 have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography, while the solution redox properties of 1- 3 have been measured by cyclic voltammetry. Complexes 1- 3 exhibit reduction features at -1.82, -1.59, and -1.39 V (vs Fc/Fc (+)), respectively, at a scan rate of 100 mV.s (-1). The decrease in the reduction potential follows the electron-withdrawing ability of each beta-diketonate ligand. Chemical reduction of 1 and 2 with Cp* 2Co in toluene yields [Cp* 2Co][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(RC(O)CHC(O)R)] (R = Me, 4; Ph, 5), while reduction of 3 with Cp 2Co provides [Cp 2Co][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(CF 3C(O)CHC(O)CF 3)] ( 6). Complexes 4- 6 have been fully characterized, while the solid-state molecular structure of 5 has also been determined. In contrast to the clean reduction that occurs with Cp* 2Co, reduction of 1 with sodium ribbon, followed by cation exchange with [NEt 4]Cl, produces [NEt 4][UO 2(Ar 2nacnac)(H 2CC(O)CH(O)CMe)] ( 7) in modest yield. This product results from the formal loss of H (*) from a methyl group of the acetylacetonate ligand. Alternately, complex 7 can be synthesized by deprotonation of 1 with NaNTMS 2 in good yield.