Activation and reduction of diethyl ether by low valent uranium: formation of the trimetallic, mixed valence uranium oxo species [U(Cp-RR ')(mu-I)(2)](3)(mu(3)-O) (Cp-RR ' = C5Me5, C5Me4H, C5H4SiMe3)

The reaction of UI3 and KCpRR' (Cp-RR' = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl or tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) in diethyl ether results in the two-electron reduction of the solvent to form trimetallic, mixed valence uranium oxo species.