Synthesis of bulky hydride ligands: m-terphenylborohydride complexes with trivalent uranium and neodymium

Abstract

Here we describe the first coordination complexes containing a bulky m-terphenyltrihydroborate ligand. Treating [UI₃(thf)₄] and NdCl₃ with three equiv. of Li(H₃BAr^tBu4)(Et₂O) (where Ar^tBu4 = 2,6-(3,5-^tBu₂C₆H₃)₂C₆H₃) yielded [M(H₃BAr^tBu4)₃(thf)₂] (M = U and Nd). [U(H₃BAr^tBu4)₃(dme)₂] is also described, and structural comparisons reveal the influence of the Lewis base on H₃BAr^tBu4 positioning.