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.