Recent developments in actinide–ligand multiple bonding

Abstract

In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in the synthesis and characterization of complexes containing actinide-ligand multiple bonds, especially in regards to isolation of terminal oxo, nitrido and carbene-containing complexes. This review summarizes the synthesis, structure, and reactivity of these complexes, from 2010 until present. These complexes are of interest for a variety of reasons, including their potential use in novel catalytic transformations and their ability to engage the 5f orbitals in metal-ligand bonding. Of particular note are the recent syntheses of the first isolable complex containing the nitride-substituted uranyl ion, [NUO](+), and the first report of an isolable terminal uranium nitride. Considerable progress has also been made toward the syntheses of actinide carbenes and thorium complexes containing metal-ligand multiple bonds.