Homoleptic uranium and lanthanide phosphinodiboranates

Abstract

Here we report a new class of homoleptic f-element borohydride complexes called phosphinodiboranates. Treating UI₃(1,4-dioxane)_1.5, NdI₃, or ErI₃, with three equiv. of K(H₃BP^tBu₂BH₃) in Et₂O yielded M₂(H₃BP^tBu₂BH₃)₆, where M = U, Nd, and Er. All three complexes form solid-state dimers, but exist as mixtures of monomers and dimers in solution.