Oxo Ligand Silylation in a Uranyl β-Ketoiminate Complex

Addition of Me(3)Sil to UO(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) (ArNC(Ph)CHC(Ph)O, Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)) (1) results in the formation of U(OSiMe(3))(2)I(2)((Ar)acnac) (2) in moderate yield. Also formed in the reaction are I(2) and ArNC(Ph)=CHC(Ph)OSiMe(3), the product of [(Ar)acnac](-) abstraction by Me(3)Si(+). In contrast, reaction of 1 with Me(3)SiX (X = Cl, OTf) only results in the formation of UO(2)(OTf)(2)((Ar)acnacH)(2)(Et(2)O) (3) and UO(2)Cl(2)((Ar)acnacH)(2) (4), respectively.