Constrained geometry organoactinides as versatile catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of primary and secondary amines having diverse tethered C-C unsaturation

A series of constrained geometry organoactinide complexes, (CGC)An(NMe)(2) (CGC = Me2Si(eta(5)-Me4C5)((BuN)-Bu-t); An = Th, 1; U, 2), has been prepared via efficient in situ, two-step protodeamination routes in good yields and high purity. Both 1 and 2 are quantitatively converted to the neutrally charged, solvent-free dichlorides (1-Cl-2, 2-Cl-2) and slightly more soluble diiodides (1-I-2, 2-I-2) with excess Me3Si-X (X = Cl, I) in non-coordinating solvents. The new complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and (for 1 and 2) single-crystal X-ray diffraction, revealing substantially increased metal coordinative unsaturation vs the corresponding Me2SiCp ''(2)AnR(2) (Cp '' = eta(5)-Me4C5; An = Th, R = CH2(SiMe3), 3; An = U, R = CH2Ph, 4) and Cp'(2)AnR(2) (Cp' = eta(5)-Me5C5 ; An = Th, R = CH2(SiMe3), 5; An = U, R = CH2(SiMe3), 6) complexes. Complexes 1-6 exhibit broad applicability for the intramolecular hydroamination of diverse C-C unsaturations, including terminal and internal aminoalkenes (primary and secondary amines), aminoalkynes (primary and secondary amines), aminoallenes, and aminodienes. Large turnover frequencies (N-t up to 3000 h(-1)) and high regioselectivities (>= 95%) are observed throughout, along with moderate to high diastereoselectivities (up to 90% trans ring closures). With several noteworthy exceptions, reactivity trends track relative 5f ionic radii and ancillary ligand coordinative unsaturation. Reactivity patterns and activation parameters are consistent with a reaction pathway proceeding via turnover-limiting CC/CC insertion into the An-N sigma-bond.