Synthesis of Uranium-Ligand Multiple Bonds by Cleavage of a Trityl Protecting Group

Addition of KSCPh3 to [U(NR2)(3)] (R = SiMe3) in tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of 18-crown-6, results in formation of the U(IV) sulfide, [K(18-crown-6)][U(S)(NR2)(3)] (1) and Gomberg's dimer. Similarly, addition of KOCPh3 to [U(NR2)(3)] in tetrahydrofuran, followed by addition of 18-crown-6, results in formation of the U(IV) oxide, [K(18-crown-6)][U(O)-(NR2)(3)] (3). Also observed in this transformation are the triphenylmethyl anion, [K(18-crown-6)(THF)(2)][CPh3] (5), and the U(IV) alkoxide, [U(OCPh3)(NR2)(3)] (4).