UCLA

These studies describe the use of the redox-active 1,1'-diamidoferrocene ligand on uranium and group 5 metals. A novel terminal uranium-imide complex was synthesized using the bulky 2,6-dimesitylphenyl imide substituent as support. Although the uranium-imide was shown to be sterically accessible through the accommodation of another 2,6-dimesitylphenyl amide group, further reactivity was not seen, with the exception of sulfur. Electron transfer between the iron contained in the 1,1'-diamidoferrocene ligand and group 5 metals was more apparent than with uranium. A control reaction between ferrocene and niobium pentachloride suggested the formation of ferrocenium via electron transfer from iron to niobium. The use of a reduced tantalum and niobium precursors is required for coordination by 1,1'-diamidoferrocene ligands to prevent side reactions.