Actinide-Pnictide (An-Pn) Bonds Spanning Non-Metal, Metalloid, and Metal Combinations (An=U, Th; Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi).

The synthesis and characterisation is presented of the compounds [An(TrenDMBS ){Pn(SiMe3 )2 }] and [An(TrenTIPS ){Pn(SiMe3 )2 }] [TrenDMBS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiMe2 But )3 , An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi; An=Th, Pn=P, As; TrenTIPS =N(CH2 CH2 NSiPri3 )3 , An=U, Pn=P, As, Sb; An=Th, Pn=P, As, Sb]. The U-Sb and Th-Sb moieties are unprecedented examples of any kind of An-Sb molecular bond, and the U-Bi bond is the first two-centre-two-electron (2c-2e) one. The Th-Bi combination was too unstable to isolate, underscoring the fragility of these linkages. However, the U-Bi complex is the heaviest 2c-2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide on a macroscopic scale under ambient conditions, and this is exceeded only by An-An pairings prepared under cryogenic matrix isolation conditions. Thermolysis and photolysis experiments suggest that the U-Pn bonds degrade by homolytic bond cleavage, whereas the more redox-robust thorium compounds engage in an acid-base/dehydrocoupling route.

The preparation, isolation, and study of new molecular element–element bonds remains a fundamentally important endeavour because it informs us about chemical characteristics and reactivity, allows us to probe and refine periodic trends, and provides vital benchmarking for structural and theoretical predictions and modelling. Reflecting much progress over decades of synthetic effort, there are now few places left in the Periodic Table where new element–element bonds can be regularly discovered. However, the actinides, where progress has generally lagged owing to their radioactivity and the inherent challenges involved in stabilizing chemical bonds to some of the largest metal ions in existence, remains a rich seam from which to mine new chemical bonds. For example, only very recently have the first Am−S, Pu−C, and Bk−O bonds been crystallographically authenticated.1

The aforementioned examples all involve synthetic transuranic examples with unique associated challenges; studies have in particular been impeded by their radioactive nature, need for specialist handling facilities, and limited availabilities. However, even for naturally occurring neighbour elements like uranium and thorium, which can be handled in normal laboratories, there are chemical bond combinations yet to be realised. For example, regarding An−Pn bonds (An=U, Th; Pn=N, P, As, Sb, Bi), although covalent An−N, An−P, and An−As bonds are known,2, 3, 4 somewhat remarkably given the burgeoning nature of non‐aqueous actinide chemistry,5 An−Sb and An−Bi derivatives are conspicuous by their absence even though analogous examples are known in transition‐metal6 and even in lanthanide chemistry.7 Indeed, there are no structurally characterized U−Sb, Th−Sb, or Th−Bi bonds and there is only one report of U−Bi bonds,8 which involves open‐shell, delocalised radical Zintl clusters that reside at the molecular–periodic interface. Seeking to remedy this situation, we sought to extend our previous work on early metal−PnH2 complexes.3c, 4, 9 Since discrete (PnH2)− anions are not available for Sb and Bi, and noting that many heavy PnHR3− reagents are prone to facile Pn−C bond homolysis, we utilised the more sterically demanding pnictides {Pn(SiMe3)2}− for P, As, Sb, and Bi, though even these reagents are prone to easy decomposition.10, 11 We reasoned that this would present the opportunity to prepare a structurally homologous series of An−Pn covalent bond benchmarks, whilst enabling meaningful comparison of the Pn geometries (that is, development of trigonal pyramidal from trigonal planar) as the pnictide group is descended.

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterisation of molecular compounds containing new An−Pn bonds that include the first structurally authenticated U−Sb and Th−Sb bonds of any kind and the first two‐centre‐two‐electron (2c–2e) U−Bi bond. The corresponding Th−Bi bond was too unstable to isolate, highlighting the major challenges of preparing these ill‐suited hard–soft linkages generally. These complexes present chemical bond benchmarks, and the U−Bi bond is the heaviest 2c–2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide under macroscopic, ambient conditions, exceeded experimentally only by An−An pairings in matrix isolation experiments.12 Preparing homologues spanning non‐metal, metalloid, and metal within a single element group has permitted elucidation of a formal periodic break‐point; DFT calculations suggest that P and As adopt formal −3 oxidation states whereas Sb and Bi are more appropriately assigned as +1.

To assemble the desired An−Pn linkages we utilised a salt elimination strategy with separated ion pair An precursors to avoid complications with installation of soft Pn centres at hard An ions since the outer‐sphere borate is an excellent leaving group.3c, 4, 9 Thus, treatment of [An(TrenDMBS)(L)][BPh4] (An=U, L=THF, 1U; An=Th, L=DME, 1Th) or [An(TrenTIPS)(L)][BPh4] (An=U, L=THF, 2U; An=Th, L=DME, 2Th)3c, 4, 9 with KPn(SiMe3)2 (Pn=P, As, Sb, Bi)10 afforded [An(TrenDMBS){Pn(SiMe3)2}] (3AnPn) and [An(TrenTIPS){Pn(SiMe3)2}] (4AnPn).11 Most combinations proved accessible, and 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, 3UBi, 3ThP, 3ThAs, 4UP, 4UAs, 4USb, 4ThP, 4ThAs, and 4ThSb were isolable (Scheme 1). For completeness, we examined installation of the analogous amide {N(SiMe3)2}−, but found only the formation of Tren‐cyclometallates, which seems to be sterically driven, since for example the dicyclohexylamide complex [U(TrenDMBS){N(C6H11)2}] is isolable.13 The characterisation data for the isolable complexes are consistent with their formulations, and for uranium the variable temperature magnetisation data (Supporting Information, Figures S1–S7)11 corroborate the uranium(IV) assignments, but otherwise are not particularly informative so we determined their molecular structures to gain further insight.

Scheme 1

Synthesis of the An−Pn complexes reported in this study: a) utilising the triamidoamine TrenDMBS ancillary ligand; b) utilising the triamidoamine TrenTIPS ancillary ligand. Reagents and conditions for (a) and (b): i) THF, KPn(SiMe3)2, −78 °C to room temperature.

The solid‐state molecular structures of 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, 3UBi, 3ThP, 3ThAs, 4UP, 4UAs, 4USb, 4ThP, 4ThAs, and 4ThSb were all determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structures of 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, and 3UBi are illustrated in Figure 1 and key metrical parameters are compiled in Table 1. The other structurally determined compounds in this study are in the Supporting Information, Figures S10–S20.11 For the sake of brevity our discussion will largely focus on the 3UPn series since this constitutes a complete actinide–heavy‐pnictide family.

Figure 1

a)–d) Solid‐state molecular crystal structures of 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, and 3UBi, respectively, measured at 120 K. Ellipsoids set at 40 % probability; hydrogen atoms, minor disorder components, and any lattice solvent removed for clarity.23 e)–h) Ball‐and‐stick representations of the core U‐Pn(SiMe3)2 units from the same side‐on perspective in each case, where one Si perfectly obscures the other, to show the increasing deviation from trigonal planar to trigonal pyramidal geometry as the pnictide series is descended; all other atoms in these depictions are omitted for clarity. U green, Pn magenta, N blue, Si orange, C gray.

Table 1

An−Pn bond lengths [Å] and sum of Pn angles [°] for the structurally authenticated molecules in this study.

Combination	3UPn	4UPn	3ThPn	4ThPn
Pn=P	2.8646(14)/354.06(8)	2.8391(9)/359.94(5)	2.9406(11)/351.28(7)	2.9020(13)/356.75(8)
Pn=As	2.9423(9)/349.71(9)	2.9062(7)/355.56(8)	3.0456(9)/343.47(9)	2.9569(6)/359.35(6)
Pn=Sb	3.2437(8)/325.96(11)	3.2089(6)/351.53(12)	–	3.2849(3)/348.13(4)
Pn=Bi	3.3208(4)/315.98(9)	–	–	–

The U−Pn distances of 2.8646(14), 2.9423(9), 3.2437(8), and 3.3208(4) Å for 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, 3UBi, respectively, can be compared to the respective sums of single‐bond covalent radii of 2.81, 2.91, 3.10, and 3.21 Å,14 and for 3UP to the U−P distance of 2.789(4) Å in sterically less encumbered [U(η5‐C5Me5)2(Cl){P(SiMe3)2}];3h these data essentially divide into two groups where the experimental U−P and U−As pairs are within 0.05 Å of those predicted, but the discrepancies for the U−Sb and U−Bi distances are >0.1 Å. This suggests a periodic break between As and Sb, but also perhaps reflects the changing sum of angles at each Pn (P, 354.06(8); As, 349.71(9); Sb, 325.96(11); Bi, 315.98(9)°); although respective s–p energy gaps decrease as Group 15 is descended, rehybridisation promotion energies conversely increase owing to progressively inefficient s–p orbital overlap from increasingly diffuse orbitals.

Interestingly, for 3ThP and 3ThAs the Th−Pn distances are 0.08–0.1 Å longer than the uranium analogues even though the single bond covalent radius of Th is only 0.05 Å larger than that of U.14 Conversely, however, the U−Pn distances for 4UP, 4UAs, and 4USb, are all shorter than the respective corresponding U−Pn distances in the 3UPn series. Also, the sum of angles at Pn varies far less for the 4UPn than 3UPn series, which can be related to the sterically more demanding nature of TrenTIPS compared to TrenDMBS restricting the tendency towards orthogonal bonding for the heavier pnictides. This suggests that the trigonal planar bonding mode of these pnictides is stronger than a more trigonal pyramidal mode. This trend is overall repeated when comparing the 3ThPn and 4ThPn series together, though we note that the differences for 4ThPn vs. 4UPn are smaller than those of 3ThPn vs. 3UPn, reflecting the greater constraints imposed by the more sterically demanding TrenTIPS compared to TrenDMBS.

The UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopic data for 3UPn (Supporting Information, Figure S8)11 show a characteristic absorption maxima that bathochromically shifts (3UP, 19,420; UAs, 18,280; USb, 15,820; UBi 14,245 cm−1); this can be related to the increasing pyramidalisation of the Pn centres as the Pn group is descended and a decreasing pnictide–uranium charge transfer energy. The same trend is observed for 4UPn (Supporting Information, Figure S9).11

To further probe the An−Pn linkages, we examined them using DFT, NBO, and QTAIM methods (Table 2; Supporting Information, Figures S21–S32).11 Computed structures compare well with the solid‐state structures, so we conclude that these models represent qualitative pictures of the electronic structures of these complexes. The An−Pn Mayer bond orders, considering these linkages are expected to be polar, are surprisingly high, suggest Pn π‐donation in addition to the anticipated σ‐bonds.15

Table 2

Selected computed DFT, NBO, and QTAIM data.

	Bond length and index[b,c]		Charges[d]		Spin density[e]	NBOσ‐component[g]		NBOπ‐component[g]			QTAIM[h]
Entry[a]	An−Pn	BI	q An	q Pn	m An	An[%]	Pn[%]	An[%]	Pn[%]	An 7s/7p/6d/5f	ρ(r)	∇2 ρ(r)	H(r)	ϵ(r)
3UP	2.898	0.92	2.24	−1.02	2.33	0	100	14	87	1:1:16:82	0.03	0.04	−0.01	0.27
3UAs	2.988	0.94	2.33	−1.32	2.37	0	100	17	83	1:1:17:81	0.02	0.03	−0.01	0.29
3USb	3.265	0.87	1.85	−0.39	2.38	0	100	17	83	5:1:19:75	0.02	0.02	−0.01	0.29
3UBi	3.385	0.78	1.86	−0.40	2.38	0	100	18	82	9:2:22:67	0.02	0.01	−0.01	0.15
4UP	2.854	1.00	2.43	−0.97	2.37	0	100	14	86	0:1:29:70	0.03	0.04	−0.01	0.22
4UAs	2.944	0.98	2.69	−1.31	2.39	0	100	17	83	0:1:29:70	0.02	0.03	−0.01	0.26
4USb	3.222	1.03	2.13	−0.33	2.48	0	100	8	92	36:1:14:49	0.02	0.03	−0.01	0.13
3ThP	2.981	0.81	2.17	−1.05	–	0	100	6	94	2:1:23:74	0.04	0.06	−0.01	0.22
3ThAs	3.072	0.86	2.29	−1.32	–	0	100	6	94	6:1:32:61	0.04	0.05	−0.01	0.26
4ThP	2.955	0.87	2.44	−0.99	–	0	100	5	95	17:1:33:49	0.04	0.07	−0.01	0.31
4ThAs	2.996	0.94	2.58	−1.33	–	0	100	6	94	0:2:36:62	0.04	0.07	−0.01	0.37
4ThSb	3.315	0.92	2.14	−0.36	–	0	100	7	93	19:2:36:43	0.03	0.05	−0.01	0.25

[a] All molecules geometry optimised without symmetry constraints using the BP86 GGA functional and a basis set derived from TZP/ZORA all‐electron ADF database; calculations were unrestricted for uranium and restricted for thorium. [b] Computational An−Pn distances [Å]. [c] Mayer bond indices. [d] MDC‐q charges on An. [e] MDC‐m α‐spin densities on An. [f] MDC‐q charges on Pn. [g] Natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses; the electron occupancies of these orbitals are ≥97 %. [h] QTAIM topological electron density [ρ(r)], Laplacian [∇2 ρ(r)], electronic energy density [H(r)], and ellipticity [ϵ(r)] bond critical point data.

The computed An charges, and spin densities for uranium, are overall consistent with their +4 oxidation states,2a but the computed charges of the Pn centres fall into two clear groups; for P/As computed charges are about −1 to −1.3 whereas for Sb/Bi they are lower at about −0.3 to −0.4 and this does not appear to be related in any way to the geometry of the Pn centre as an explanation. This suggests a periodic break where the former pair are best described formally as being in the −3 oxidation state whereas the latter two are better formulated as being +1.

When the Pn centre remains essentially trigonal planar, as is the case for the 4UPn and 4ThPn series, the An charge follows the trend An−As > An−P > An−Sb, which suggests that As is the weakest donor ion. Interestingly, for the 3UPn series the An charges increases from 3UP to 3UAs, but then falls away for 3USb and 3UBi, so that the same, but extended, series of An charges of An−As > An−P ≫ An−Sb ≈An−Bi emerges. This is counterintuitive, because the expected trend would be for the An charges to be ordered An−Bi > An−Sb > An−As > An−P as suggested by the Mayer bond order data. However, inspection of the DFT Kohn Sham and NBO descriptions of 3UP, 3UAs, 3USb, 3UBi, 3ThP, 3ThAs, 4UP, 4UAs, 4USb, 4ThP, 4ThAs, and 4ThSb reveals that whilst the An−Pn σ‐bonds are largely ionic, surprisingly, since the Pn np‐orbitals (n=3–6) become increasingly diffuse, there are significant π‐bonding combinations in these complexes, and, using series 3UPn, as the pnictide becomes more pyramidalised although one lobe of the p‐orbital moves increasingly away from the metal the other lobe approaches much more closely and so may actually engage more effectively overall with one orbital lobe than two. Thus, linkages that would be expected to be weaker may actually be stronger, with respect to donor strength, which in this context is not synonymous with thermodynamic enthalpic bond strength.

The asymmetry of the An−Pn bonding, as suggested by DFT and NBO methods, is further supported by analysis of the QTAIM data; although highly polar bonds are certainly found, the bond critical point ellipticity values are consistently greater than zero and of the magnitude found for the C−C bonds in benzene tending to ethene.16

Although 4UBi, 3ThSb, 3ThBi, and 4ThBi have eluded isolation, attempts to prepare them along with studies on the subsequent reactivity of the isolable An−Pn complexes has proven informative with respect to unravelling the underpinning chemistry of these An−Pn linkages. Attempts to prepare 4UBi from 2U and KBi(SiMe3)2 resulted in batch‐variable quantities of green crystals, that could not be cleanly isolated, of (Me3Si)2Bi−Bi(SiMe3)2 (Bi)11, 17 as verified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. This implies that 4UBi is transiently formed, but decomposes by homolytic U−Pn bond cleavage to give [U(TrenTIPS)],18 which was indeed identified in reaction mixtures by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, attempts to prepare 3ThSb, 3ThBi, and 4ThBi resulted in the isolation, respectively, of variable levels of red (Me3Si)2Sb−Sb(SiMe3)2 (Sb),11, 19 and green Bi, verified by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Since the Th4+/Th3+ reduction potential is very negative,20 homolytic Th−Pn bond cleavage seems unlikely, but on one occasion, from otherwise intractable, complex reaction mixtures, crystals of the cyclometallate complex [Th{N(CH2CH2NSiMe2But)2(CH2CH2NSiMeButCH2)}(DME)] (5) were isolated from an attempted preparation of 3ThSb.11 This suggests that a concerted or step‐wise deprotonation/cyclometallation–dehydrocoupling of HPn(SiMe3)2 reaction occurs for thorium.

To probe the mechanistic aspects further we investigated thermal and photolytic U−Pn reactivity profiles; analogous thorium studies gave no different outcomes to the ones described above. Complex 4USb, and putative 4UBi prepared in situ, completely decompose at 80 °C to give [U(TrenTIPS)] and Sb or Bi, respectively, consistent with homolytic bond cleavage. Under these conditions, 4UP and 4UAs and surprisingly 3USb and 3UBi show little decomposition (<5 %). Photolysis (125 W UV lamp, 2 h) of 4USb and putative 4UBi prepared in situ results in conversion into the cyclometallate complex [U{N(CH2CH2NSiPri 3)2(CH2CH2NSiPri 2CHMeCH2)}]21 and elemental Sb or Bi. Interestingly, photolysis of 3USb and 3UBi results in initial formation of Sb or Bi, H2, and the cyclometallate [U{N(CH2CH2NSiMe2But)2(CH2CH2NSiMeButCH2)}],22 but 3UP and 3UAs show little decomposition under photolytic conditions. Extended photolysis of 3USb and 3UBi resulted in Sb/Bi decomposition to elemental Sb/Bi, which was verified by independent decomposition of Sb/Bi under the same conditions. Under photolytic conditions, [U(TrenR)] species slowly cyclometallate with elimination of H2. So, the above data suggest that for U−Pn bonds homolysis is the preferred decomposition route, which may proceed to production of uranium–cyclometallate and elemental pnictide deposition under photolytic but not thermal conditions, but the Th−Pn linkages undergo acid–base/dehydrocoupling reactions owing to the redox robustness of thorium. The more facile decomposition of 4USb and “4UBi” compared to 3USb and 3UBi suggest that although sterically demanding ligands are necessary to stabilise these polar U−Pn linkages that TrenTIPS may be too bulky and actually destabilise the U−Sb/U−Bi linkages; the isolation of 3UBi is thus remarkable because this complex has the facile uranium redox bond homolysis route open to it yet it is still isolable. This is clearly a delicate balance of sterics, since for the larger thorium neither TrenDMBS nor TrenTIPS can stabilise Th−Bi linkages. Such a fine balance of metal/ligand size ratio has been found previously with respect to μ‐phosphido linkages where thorium–TrenTIPS gives stable ThPTh linkages but uranium–TrenTIPS results in UPU linkages that readily decompose.9a,9d

To conclude, we have reported the synthesis and characterisation of new An−Pn bonds that include the first structurally authenticated U−Sb and Th−Sb bonds of any kind and the first 2c–2e U−Bi bond. The corresponding Th−Bi bond was too unstable to isolate, highlighting the major challenges of preparing these mismatched hard–soft linkages generally. These complexes present chemical bond benchmarks, and the U−Bi bond is the heaviest 2c–2e pairing of two elements involving an actinide under macroscopic, ambient conditions, exceeded only by An−An pairings in matrix isolation experiments. Preparing homologues spanning non‐metal, metalloid, and metal within a single element group has permitted elucidation of a formal periodic break‐point between As and Sb. Reactivity studies suggest that the heavier U−Pn bonds decompose by homolytic U−Pn bond cleavage, and the resulting uranium(III) and di‐pnictane compounds react further to give uranium(IV)–cyclometallate, hydrogen, and elemental pnictide, respectively, whereas the more redox robust thorium complexes engage in an acid–base/dehydrocoupling route to give thorium–cyclometallate and di‐pnictane. Thus, although the same product classes emerge from these decomposition reactions overall they proceed via different mechanistic routes, highlighting the different redox chemistries of uranium and thorium actinide elements.

Dedicated to Professor William J. Evans on the occasion of his 70th birthday

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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