Isolation of C1 through C4 derivatives from CO using heteroleptic uranium() metallocene aryloxide complexes

The conversion of C1 feedstock molecules such as CO into commodity chemicals is a desirable, but challenging, endeavour. When the U( iii ) complex, [(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 U(O-2,6- t Bu 2 -4-MeC 6 H 2 )], is exposed to 1 atm of CO, only coordination is observed by IR spectroscopy as well as X-ray crystallography, unveiling a rare structurally characterized f element carbonyl. However, using [(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 (MesO)U (THF)], Mes = 2,4,6-Me 3 C 6 H 2 , reaction with CO forms the bridging ethynediolate species, [{(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 (MesO)U} 2 (μ 2 -OCCO)]. While ethynediolate complexes are known, their reactivity has not been reported in much detail to afford further functionalization. For example, addition of more CO to the ethynediolate complex with heating forms a ketene carboxylate, [{(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 (MesO)U} 2 ( μ 2 : κ 2 : η 1 -C 3 O 3 )], which can be further reacted with CO 2 to yield a ketene dicarboxylate complex, [{(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 (MesO)U} 2 ( μ 2 : κ 2 : κ 2 -C 4 O 5 )]. Since the ethynediolate showed reactivity with more CO, we explored its reactivity further. A [2 + 2] cycloaddition is observed with diphenylketene to yield [{(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 U} 2 (OC(CPh 2 )C(&z.dbd;O)CO)] with concomitant formation of [(C 5 Me 5 ) 2 U(OMes) 2 ]. Surprisingly, reaction with SO 2 shows rare S-O bond cleavage to yield the unusual [(O 2 CC(O)(SO)] 2− bridging ligand between two U( iv ) centres. All complexes have been characterized using spectroscopic and structural methods, and the reaction of the ethynediolate with CO to form the ketene carboxylate has been investigated computationally as well as the reaction with SO 2 . Functionalization of CO from C1 to C4 is acheived using a heteroleptic uranium( iii ) complex.