Synthesis and Utility of Neptunium(III) Hydrocarbyl Complex

To extend organoactinide chemistry beyond uranium, reported here is the first structurally characterized transuranic hydrocarbyl complex, Np[eta(4)-Me2NC(H)C6H5](3) (1), from reaction of NpCl4(DME)(2) with four equivalents of K[Me2NC(H)C6H5]. Unlike the U-III species, the neptunium analogue can be used to access other Np-III complexes. The reaction of 1 with three equivalents of HE2C(2,6-Mes(2)-C6H3) (E=O, S) yields [(2,6-Mes(2)-C6H3)CE2](3)Np(THF)(2), maintaining the trivalent oxidation state.