Structure and magnetism of a tetrahedral uranium(iii) β-diketiminate complex

We describe the functionalisation of the previously reported uranium(iii) beta-diketiminate complex (BDI)UI2(THF)(2)(1) with one and two equivalents of a sterically demanding 2,6-diisopropylphenolate ligand (ODipp) leading to the formation of two heteroleptic complexes: [(BDI)UI(ODipp)](2)(2) and (BDI)U(ODipp)(2)(3). The latter is a rare example of a tetrahedral uranium(iii) complex, and it shows single-molecule magnet behaviour.