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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Activating Molecules, Ions, and Solid Particles with Acoustic Cavitation
Published on: April 11, 2014
Influence of steric pressure on the activation of carbon dioxide and related small molecules by uranium coordination
Oanh P Lam1, Christian Anthon, Karsten Meyer
1Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Inorganic Chemistry, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Egerlandstr. 1, D-91058 Erlangen, Germany.
Abstract:
Recent reports on new types of reactions and bonding using uranium coordination complexes have marked uranium as an effective candidate for small molecule activation and potentially as a key participant in catalytic processes. This review discusses the advantages of employing uranium in coordination chemistry, with emphasis on the importance of ligand design and the promotion of unusual chemical transformations by steric pressure. The activation of industrially relevant C1 feedstocks such as CO and CO(2) by uranium complexes with their exemplary abilities to stabilize highly reactive charge-separated complexes are highlighted in this article. Spectroscopic and DFT studies are also presented, demonstrating the important methods that are utilized for investigating the electronic properties of these uranium complexes.
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