Insertion of 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide into the U–N bond of [U(η-C5H5)3(NEt2)]. Crystal structure of [U(η-C5H5)3{C(NEt2)NC6H3Me2-2,6}]

Abstract

Insertion of CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 into the U–N bonds of [U(η-C₅H₅)₂(NEt₂)₂] and [U(η-C₅H₅)₃(NEt₂)] has been observed, leading to the formation of iminocarbamoyl derivatives. The structure of one of the resulting complexes [U(η-C₅H₅)₃{C(NEt₂)NC₆H₃Me₂-2,6}] has been determined by X-ray analysis; this shows that the [C(NEt₂)NC₆H₃Me₂-2,6]^– anion is η²-co-ordinated and the CN double bond lies perpendicular to the U–M axis (where M is the midpoint of the CN bond). ¹H N.m.r. shows that the C₅H₅ protons are magnetically inequivalent. Some evidence of the insertion of CNC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 into the U–P bond of [U(η-C₅H₅)₃(PPh₂)] is also reported.