Formation of (C5Me5)2U(EPh)Me, (C5Me5)2U(EPh)2, and (C5Me5)2U(η2-TeC6H4) from (C5Me5)2UMe2 and PhEEPh (E = S, Se, Te)

(C5Me5)(2)UMe2, 1, reacts with 1 and 2 equiv of PhEEPh (E = S, Se) to form (C5Me5)(2)UMe(EPh) (E S, 2; Se, 3) and (C5Me5)(2)U(EPh)(2) (E = S, 4; Se, 5), respectively, with concomitant formation of MeEPh. Complexes 2, 3, and 5 form at ambient temperature, but the synthesis of 4 required heating to 65 degrees C. Addition of 2 equiv of PhTeTePh to 1 equiv of (C5Me5)(2)UMe2 generated the tellurium analogue of 4 and 5, namely, (C5Me5)(2)U(TePh)(2), 6, but when 1 was reacted with 1 equiv of PhTeTePh, C-H activation of the aryl ring occurred to form (C5Me5)(2)U(eta(2)-TeC6H4), 7, along with MeTePh and CH4.