Exploring the coordination modes of pyrrolyl ligands in bis(imido) uranium(VI) complexes

The preparation of a family of bis(imido) uranium(VI) complexes stabilized by mono- and bidentate pyrrolyl ancillary ligands is described. X-ray crystallographic studies of dipyrrolylmethane (dpm) derivatives show that the pyrrolyl coordination mode in these uranium(VI) ions is unexpected in comparison to analogous transition metal and lanthanide chemistry. The ability of the coordinated pyrrolyl moieties to undergo pyrrolyl isomerization has also been explored and demonstrates reactivity that is unique from structurally similar uranium(VI)-bis(cyclopentadienyl) derivatives.