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Michel Ephritikhine

Publications and source records attributed to Michel Ephritikhine.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Lanthanide and uranium complexes with an SPS-based pincer ligand.

Reactions of Ln(BH4)3(THF)n and [Li(Et2O)]SPS(Me)], the lithium salt of an anionic SPS pincer ligand composed of a central hypervalent lambda4-phosphinine ring bearing two ortho-positioned diphenylphosphine sulfide sidearms, led to the monosubstituted compounds [Ln(BH4)2(SPS(Me))(THF)2] [Ln = Ce (1), Nd (2)], while the homoleptic complexes [Ln(SPS(Me))3] [Ln = Ce (3), Nd (4)] were obtained by treatment of LnX3 (X = I, BH4) with [K(Et2O)][SPS(Me)]. The [UX2(SPS(Me))2] complexes [X = Cl (5), BH4 (6)] were isolated from reactions of UX4 and the lithium or potassium salt of the [SPS(Me)]- anion. The X-ray crystal structures of 1.1.5THF, 2.1.5THF, 3.2THF.2Et2O, and 5.4py reveal that the flexible tridentate [SPS(Me)]- anion is bound to the metal as a tertiary phosphine with electronic delocalization within the unsaturated parts of the ligand.

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U(SMes*)n, (n = 3, 4) and Ln(SMes*)3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd): lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation in agostic interactions and an unprecedented eta3 ligation mode of the arylthiolate ligand, from X-ray diffraction and DFT analysis.

Reaction of U(NEt(2))(4) with HS-2,4,6-(t)Bu(3)C(6)H(2) (HSMes) gave U(SMes)(3)(NEt(2))(py) (1), whereas similar treatment of U[N(SiMe(3))SiMe(2)CH(2)][N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) afforded U(SMes)[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) (2) and U(SMes)(3)[N(SiMe(3))(2)]. The first neutral homoleptic uranium(IV) thiolate to have been crystallographically characterized, U(SMes)(4) (4), was isolated from the reaction of U(BH(4))(4) and KSMes. The first homoleptic thiolate complex of uranium(III), U(SMes)(3) (5), was synthesized by protonolysis of U[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3) with HSMes in cyclohexane. The crystal structure of 5 exhibits the novel eta(3) ligation mode for the arylthiolate ligand. Comparison of the crystal structure of 5 with those of the isomorphous lanthanide congeners Ln(SMes)(3) (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, and Nd) indicates that the U-S, U-C(ipso)(), and U-C(ortho)() bond lengths are shorter than the corresponding ones in the 4f-element analogues, when taking into account the variation in the ionic radii of the metals. The distance between the uranium and the carbon atoms involved in the U...H-C epsilon agostic interaction of each thiolate ligand is shorter, by approximately 0.05 A, than that expected from a purely ionic bonding model. The lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation was analyzed by density functional theory (DFT). The nature of the M-S bond is shown to be ionic strongly polarized at the sulfur for M = U and iono-covalent (i.e. strongly ionic with low orbital interaction), for M = Ln. The strength of the U...H-C epsilon agostic interaction is proposed to be controlled by the maximization of the interaction between U(+) and S(-) under steric constraints. The eta(3) ligation mode of the arylthiolate ligand is also obtained from DFT.

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Easy access to stable pentavalent uranyl complexes.

Reaction of UO2I2(THF)3 with 1 molar equivalent of KC5R5 (R = H, Me) in pyridine led to the uranyl(V) compound {[UO2(Py)5][KI2(Py)2]}(infinity), which is an infinite 1D polymer in its crystalline form; the UO2X(THF)n (X = I, OSO2CF3) complexes were obtained by reduction of their U(VI) parents with TlC5H5 or KC5R5 in THF.

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(Borohydrido)(18-crown-6)potassium and (borohydrido)(dibenzo-18-crown-6)(tetrahydrofuran)potassium.

In the two compounds (borohydrido)(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane-kappa(6)O)potassium, [K(BH(4))(C(12)H(24)O(6))], (I), and (borohydrido)(1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxa-2,3:11,12-dibenzocyclooctadeca-2,11-diene-kappa(6)O)(tetrahydrofuran)potassium, [K(BH(4))(C(4)H(8)O)(C(20)H(24)O(6))], (II), the K atom is bound to the six O atoms of the crown ether and to a tridentate borohydride group, with further coordination to a tetrahydrofuran molecule in (II). The alkali metal ion environment is thus distorted hexagonal-pyramidal in (I) and bipyramidal in (II).

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Synthesis and crystal structure of uranium(IV) complexes with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8): mononuclear, polynuclear and 1D polymeric species.

Reactions of UCl4 with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6) in THF gave the mononuclear [UCl2(calix[4]arene - 2H)(THF)2].2THF (.2THF) and the bis-dinuclear [U2Cl2(calix[6]arene - 6H)(THF)3]2.6THF (.6THF) complexes, respectively, while the mono-, di- and trinuclear compounds [Hpy]2[UCl3(calix[4]arene - 3H)].py (.py), [Hpy](4)[U2Cl6(calix[6]arene - 6H)].3py (.3py), [Hpy]3[U2Cl5(calix[6]arene - 6H)(py)].py (.py) and [Hpy]6[U3Cl11(calix[8]arene - 7H)].3py (.3py) were obtained by treatment of UCl4 with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6, 8) in pyridine. The sodium salt of calix[8]arene reacted with UCl4 to give the pentanuclear complex [U{U2Cl3(calix[8]arene - 7H)(py)5}2].8py (.8py). Reaction of U(acac)4 (acac = MeCOCHCOMe) with calix[4]arene in pyridine afforded the mononuclear complex [U(acac)2(calix[4]arene - 2H)].4py (.4py) and its treatment with the sodium salt of calix[8]arene led to the formation of the 1D polymer [U2(acac)6(calix[8]arene - 6H)(py)4Na4]n. The sandwich complex [Hpy]2[U(calix[4]arene - 3H)2][OTf].4py (.4py) was obtained by treatment of U(OTf)4 (OTf = OSO2CF3) with calix[4]arene in pyridine. All the complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis.

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(18-Crown-6)-mu-oxo-hexakis(tetrahydroborato)diuranium(IV): an unprecedented asymmetric dinuclear complex.

In the title compound, (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane-1kappa6O)-mu-oxo-1:2kappa2O:O-hexakis(tetrahydroborato)-1kappa3H;2kappa2H;2kappa2H;2kappa3H;2kappa3H;2kappa3H-diuranium(IV), [U2(BH4)6O(C12H24O6)], one of the U atoms (U1), located at the centre of the crown ether moiety, is bound to the six ether O atoms, and also to a tridentate tetrahydroborate group and a mu-oxo atom in axial positions. The other U atom (U2) is bound to the same oxo group and to five tetrahydroborate moieties, three of them tridentate and the other two bidentate. The two metal centres are bridged by the mu-oxo atom in an asymmetric fashion, thus giving the species (18-crown-6)(kappa3-BH4)U=(mu-O)-U(kappa3-BH4)3(kappa2-BH4)2, in which the U1=O and U2-O bond lengths to the mu-O atom [1.979 (5) and 2.187 (5) angstroms, respectively] are indicative of the presence of positive and negative partial charges on U1 and U2, respectively.

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The vitality of uranium molecular chemistry at the dawn of the XXIst century.

The intent of this Dalton Perspective is to highlight the recent advances in uranium molecular chemistry, with the results reported during the 2000-2006 period. This discipline is currently witnessing an impressive development, together with the theoretical chemistry and solid-state chemistry of the f-elements, and its face has profoundly changed, revealing unsuspected structural and reactivity features. This progress required and was facilitated by the use of new precursors. Studies of low-valent compounds gave a better insight into lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation and led to the discovery of unusual reactions, including activation of small molecules. A number of tetravalent uranium complexes, in particular polynuclear compounds, have been synthesized, which exhibit exciting structures and physicochemical properties. The potential of uranium(III) and uranium(IV) complexes in catalysis has been confirmed. The uranyl complexes, from mononuclear species to supramolecular assemblies, reveal a variety of novel structures, changing the generally accepted ideas on the coordination geometry and the stability of the UO2(2+) ion.

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Synthesis, crystal structure and reactivity of uranium(IV) complexes with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene ligands.

Reactions of UCl4 with 25,27-dimethoxy-5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butylcalix[4]arene (H2Me2calix) in THF or pyridine at 80 degrees C gave [UCl2(Me2calix)L2] [L = THF (1) or pyridine (2)]. Similar treatment of U(acac)(4) (acac = MeCOCHCOMe) with H2Me2calix in THF or pyridine afforded [U(acac)2(Me2calix)] (3). The bis-calixarene compound [U(Me2calix)(H2calix)] (4) was obtained by reaction of U(OTf)4 or U(OTf)3 with H2Me2calix in pyridine at 110 degrees C. Treatment of UCl4 with H2Me2calix in pyridine at 110 degrees C gave [Mepy][UCl2(Hcalix)(py)2] (5) resulting from demethylation and acid cleavage of the methoxy groups of the calixarene ligand of 2. Adventitious traces of air were responsible for the formation of [Hpy][Mepy]4[{UCl(calix)}3(mu3-O)][UCl6] (6) during the reaction of UCl4 and H2Me2calix, and of [{U(Me2calix)(mu3-O)LiCl(THF)}2] (7) during the reaction of 2 with tBuLi. The X-ray crystal structures of 1.2THF, 2.2py, 3.0.25L (L = THF and py), 4.2py, 5, 6.3py and 7.THF have been determined.

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An unprecedented type of linear metallocene with an f-element.

The dication [(C5Me5)2U(NCMe)5]2+ was obtained by dissolving (C5Me5)2UI2 in acetonitrile or by treating (C5Me5)2UMe2 with HNEt3BPh4 in acetonitrile. The crystal structure revealed that the cyclopentadienyl rings are parallel and equidistant to the plane defined by the metal center and nitrogen atoms of the five MeCN ligands. Fifty years after the discovery of ferrocene, this compound represents a unique example of linear metallocene with auxiliary ligands in the equatorial girdle; it is also the first linear sandwich complex of an f-element.

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Synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior of a series of trinuclear Schiff base complexes of 5f (UIV, ThIV) and 3d (CuII, ZnII) ions.

The reaction of [M(H(2)L(i))] (M = Cu, Zn) and U(acac)(4) in refluxing pyridine produced the trinuclear complexes [[ML(i)(py)(x)](2)U] [L(i) = N,N'-bis(3-hydroxysalicylidene)-R, R = 1,2-ethanediamine (i = 1), 2-methyl-1,2-propanediamine (i = 2), 1,2-cyclohexanediamine (i = 3), 1,2-phenylenediamine (i = 4), 4,5-dimethyl-1,2-phenylenediamine (i = 5), 1,3-propanediamine (i = 6), 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine (i = 7), 2-amino-benzylamine (i = 8), or 1,4-butanediamine (i = 9); x = 0 or 1]. The crystal structures show that the central U(IV) ion adopts the same dodecahedral configuration in all of these compounds, while the Cu(II) ion coordination geometry and the Cu...U distance vary with the length of the diimino chain of the Schiff base ligand L(i). These geometrical parameters have a major influence on the magnetic properties of the complexes. For the smallest Cu...U distances (i = 1-5), the Cu-U coupling is antiferromagnetic and weak antiferromagnetic interactions are present between the Cu(II) ions, while for the largest Cu...U distances (i = 6-9), the Cu-U coupling is ferromagnetic and no interaction is observed between the Cu(II) ions. The magnetic behavior of the [[CuL(i)](2)Th] compounds (i = 1, 2), in which the Th(IV) ion is diamagnetic, confirms the presence of weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) ions.

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Uranium(IV) complexes of calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8).

Reaction of UCl4 with calix[n]arenes (n = 4, 6 and 8) in THF or pyridine gave the mononuclear [UCl2(calix[4]arene--2H)(THF)2], bis-binuclear [U2Cl2(calix[6]arene--6H)(THF)3]2 and trinuclear [Hpy]6[U3Cl11(calix[8]arene--7H)] complexes, respectively, which are the first U(IV) complexes of O-unsubstituted calixarenes.

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Lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation in the cerium and uranium complexes [M(C5Me5)2(L)]0,+ (L=2,2'-bipyridine, 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine): structural, magnetic, and reactivity studies.

Treatment of [Ce(Cp*)(2)I] or [U(Cp*)(2)I(py)] with 1 mol equivalent of bipy (Cp*=C(5)Me(5); bipy=2,2'-bipyridine) in THF gave the adducts [M(Cp*)(2)I(bipy)] (M=Ce (1 a), M=U (1 b)), which were transformed into [M(Cp*)(2)(bipy)] (M=Ce (2 a), M=U (2 b)) by Na(Hg) reduction. The crystal structures of 1 a and 1 b show, by comparing the U-N and Ce-N distances and the variations in the C-C and C-N bond lengths within the bidentate ligand, that the extent of donation of electron density into the LUMO of bipy is more important in the actinide than in the lanthanide compound. Reaction of [Ce(Cp*)(2)I] or [U(Cp*)(2)I(py)] with 1 mol equivalent of terpy (terpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine) in THF afforded the adducts [M(Cp*)(2)(terpy)]I (M=Ce (3 a), M=U (3 b)), which were reduced to the neutral complexes [M(Cp*)(2)(terpy)] (M=Ce (4 a), M=U (4 b)) by sodium amalgam. The complexes [M(Cp*)(2)(terpy)][M(Cp*)(2)I(2)] (M=Ce (5 a), M=U (5 b)) were prepared from a 2:1 mixture of [M(Cp*)(2)I] and terpy. The rapid and reversible electron-transfer reactions between 3 and 4 in solution were revealed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The spectrum of 5 b is identical to that of the 1:1 mixture of [U(Cp*)(2)I(py)] and 3 b, or [U(Cp*)(2)I(2)] and 4 b. The magnetic data for 3 and 4 are consistent with trivalent cerium and uranium species, with the formulation [M(III)(Cp*)(2)(terpy(*-))] for 4 a and 4 b, in which spins on the individual units are uncoupled at 300 K and antiferromagnetically coupled at low temperature. Comparison of the crystal structures of 3 b, 4 b, and 5 b with those of 3 a and the previously reported ytterbium complex [Yb(Cp*)(2)(terpy)] shows that the U-N distances are much shorter, by 0.2 A, than those expected from a purely ionic bonding model. This difference should reflect the presence of stronger electron transfer between the metal and the terpy ligand in the actinide compounds. This feature is also supported by the small but systematic structural variations within the terdentate ligands, which strongly suggest that the LUMO of terpy is more filled in the actinide than in the lanthanide complexes and that the canonical forms [U(IV)(Cp*)(2)(terpy(*-))]I and [U(IV)(Cp*)(2)(terpy(2-))] contribute significantly to the true structures of 3 b and 4 b, respectively. This assumption was confirmed by the reactions of complexes 3 and 4 with the H(.) and H(+) donor reagents Ph(3)SnH and NEt(3)HBPh(4), which led to clear differentiation of the cerium and uranium complexes. No reaction was observed between 3 a and Ph(3)SnH, while the uranium counterpart 3 b was transformed in pyridine into the uranium(IV) compound [U(Cp*)(2){NC(5)H(4)(py)(2)}]I (6), where NC(5)H(4)(py)(2) is the 2,6-dipyridyl(hydro-4-pyridyl) ligand. Complex 6 was further hydrogenated to [U(Cp*)(2){NC(5)H(8)(py)(2)}]I (7) by an excess of Ph(3)SnH in refluxing pyridine. Treatment of 4 a with NEt(3)HBPh(4) led to oxidation of the terpy(*-) ligand and formation of [Ce(Cp*)(2)(terpy)]BPh(4), whereas similar reaction with 4 b afforded [U(Cp*)(2){NC(5)H(4)(py)(2)}]BPh(4) (6'). The crystal structures of 6, 6' and 7 were determined.

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The distinct affinity of cyclopentadienyl ligands towards trivalent uranium over lanthanide ions. Evidence for cooperative ligation and back-bonding in the actinide complexes.

The mono and bis(cyclopentadienyl) compounds [M(C5H4Bu t)I2] and [M(C5H4Bu t)2I](M = U, La, Ce, Nd) were formed in thf by comproportionation reactions of [M(C5H4Bu t)3] and LnI3 or [UI3(L)4](L = thf or py) in the molar ratio of 1 : 2 and 2 : 1, respectively, while treatment of [UI(3)(py)(4)] or LnI(3)(Ln = La, Ce, Nd) with 1 or 2 mol equivalents of LiC5H4Bu t in thf afforded the [M(C5H4Bu t)I2] and [M(C5H4Bu t)2I2]- compounds, respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of [M(C5H4Bu t)I2(py)3](M = U, La, Ce, Nd), [{Ce(C5H4Bu t)2(mu-I)}2] and [M(C5H4Bu t)2I(py)2](M = U, Nd) have been determined; the differences between the average M-C distances in the mono(cyclopentadienyl) complexes correspond to the variation in the ionic radii of the trivalent uranium and lanthanide ions while the U-N and U-I bond lengths seem to be smaller than those predicted from a purely ionic bonding model. The distinct affinity of the cyclopentadienyl ligands towards Ln(III) and U(III) was revealed by two series of competing reactions: the ligand exchange reactions between [Ln(C5H4Bu t)(n')I(3-n')](Ln = La, Ce, Nd) and [U(C5H4Bu t)(n'')I(3-n'')] species (1 < or = n'+n'' =n < or = 5), and the addition of n mol equivalents of LiC(5)H(4)Bu(t)(1 [less-than-or-equal]n[less-than-or-equal] 5) to a 1 : 1 mixture of LnI3 and [UI3(thf)4] or [UI3(py)4]. The stability of the [M(C5H4Bu t)I2] species was found to vary in the order Nd > Ce > U > La, a trend which is in accord with an electrostatic bonding model. However, the bis and tris(cyclopentadienyl) complexes of uranium are more stable than their lanthanide analogues. This difference can be accounted for by a higher degree of covalency in the U-C5H4Bu t bond, resulting from the late appearance of back-bonding which would emerge only after the first cyclopentadienyl ligand is bound.

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New efficient synthesis of [Ul4(meCN)4]. X-ray crystal structures of [Ul2(MeCN)7][Ul6], [Ul4(py)3], and [U(dmf)9]l4.

Reaction of UCl4 and excess Me3Sil in acetonitrile provides a convenient route to [Ul4(MeCN)4] (1), which was isolated in excellent yield and crystallized in acetonitrile as the ion pair complex [Ul2(MeCN)7][Ul6] (2). Compound 1 was transformed in pyridine (py) and dimethylformamide (dmf) into the Lewis base adducts [Ul4(py)3] (3) and [Ul4(dmf)6] (4). Crystals of 3 and [U(dmf)9]l4 (5) were obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether into pyridine or dmf solutions of 1; compound 5 is the first tetracationic {U4+} entity to have been crystallographically characterized.

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