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Employing the newly developed, hepta-dentate tris(aryloxide) ligand cyclen(Me)(t-Bu,t-BuArOH)3 provides controlled access to the first U(iv/v) hydroxido and U(iv/v/vi) oxido complex pairs in a retained ligand environment.

With a view to developing multimetallic molecular catalysts that mimic the oxygen‐evolving catalyst (OEC) in Nature's photosystem II, the synthesis of various dicubanoid manganese clusters is described and their catalytic activity investigated for water oxidation in basic, aqueous solution. Pyridinemethanol‐based ligands are known to support polynuclear and cubanoid structures in manganese coordination chemistry. The chelators 2,6‐pyridinedimethanol (H2L1) and 6‐methyl‐2‐pyridinemethanol (HL2) were chosen to yield polynuclear manganese complexes; namely, the tetranuclear defective dicubanes [MnII 2MnIII 2(HL1)4(OAc)4(OMe)2] and [MnII 2MnIII 2(HL1)6(OAc)2] (OAc)2⋅2 H2O, as well as the octanuclear‐dicubanoid [MnII 6MnIII 2(L2)4(O)2(OAc)10(HOMe/OH2)2]⋅3MeOH⋅MeCN. In freshly prepared solutions, polynuclear species were detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, whereas X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance studies in dilute, liquid solution suggested the presence of divalent mononuclear Mn species with g values of 2. However, the magnetochemical investigation of the complexes’ solutions by the Evans technique confirmed a haphazard combination of manganese coordination complexes, from mononuclear to polynuclear species. Subsequently, the newly synthesized and characterized manganese molecular complexes were employed as precursors to prepare electrode‐deposited films in a buffer‐free solution to evaluate and compare their stability and catalytic activity for water oxidation electrocatalysis., Film star: Cubanoid tetranuclear and octanuclear manganese complexes are synthesized and electrodeposited on an active surface to compare their electrocatalytic activity for the water oxidation reaction. A simple, direct relationship is derived between the manganese content in the precursor and the oxygen evolution activity of the deposited films.

Die Umsetzung des CoI-Komplexes [(TIMMNmes)CoI](PF6) (1) (TIMMNmes=tris-[2-(3-Mesityl-imidazolin-2-yliden)-methyl]amin) mit Mesitylazid ergibt das CoIII-Imid [(TIMMNmes)CoIII(NMes)](PF6) (2). Folgende Oxidation mit [FeCp2](PF6) ermöglicht den Zugang zu dem seltenen CoIII-Imidylkomplex [(TIMMNmes)Co(NMes)](PF6)2 (3). Einkristall-Röntgenstrukturanalyse und ESR-Spektroskopie bestätigen die molekulare Struktur von 3 und seinen S=urn:x-wiley:00448249:media:ange202206848:ange202206848-math-0001 Grundzustand. ENDOR, Röntgenabsorptionsspektroskopie und quantenchemische Rechnungen belegen eine ligandenbasierte Oxidation und damit eine Imidyl-radikalische elektronische Struktur für 3. Die Insertion einer verfügbaren NHC-Einheit in den Imidoliganden in 2 ergibt innerhalb 12 Stunden das CoI-N-heterocyclische Imin 4. Im Gegensatz dazu dauert es nur eine halbe Stunde, bis sich 3 in das CoII-Kongener 5 umsetzt. Es wurde weiterhin festgestellt, dass die Insertionsreaktion von 2 zu 4 durch einen nukleophilen Angriff des Imidoliganden am NHC erfolgt, wohingegen sich 3 zu 5 durch einen nukleophilen Angriff des NHCs am elektrophilen Imidylliganden umsetzt. Der Reaktivitätswechsel bei der Oxidation von 2 zu 3 bestätigt eine Umpolung des Imidoliganden.

The reaction of the cobalt(I) complex [(TIMMNmes)CoI](BPh4) (2) (TIMMNmes=tris‐[2‐(3‐mesitylimidazolin‐2‐ylidene)methyl]amine) with 1‐adamantylazide yields the cobalt(III) imido complex [(TIMMNmes)CoIII(NAd)](BPh4) (3) with concomitant release of dinitrogen. The N‐anchor in diamagnetic 3 features an unusual, planar tertiary amine, which results from repulsive electrostatic interaction with the filled d(z2)‐orbital of the cobalt ion and negative hyperconjugation with the neighboring methylene groups. One‐electron oxidation of 3 with [FeCp2](OTf) provides access to the rare, high‐valent cobalt(IV) imido complex [(TIMMNmes)CoIV(NAd)](OTf)2 (4). Despite a half‐life of less than 1 h at room temperature, 4 could be isolated at low temperatures in analytically pure form. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry and EPR spectroscopy corroborate the molecular structure and the d5 low‐spin, S=1/2 , electron configuration. A computational analysis of 4 suggests high covalency within the CoIV=NAd bond with non‐negligible spin density located at the imido moiety, which translates into substantial triplet nitrene character., Straightforward access to a cobalt(IV) terminal imido complex was provided by one‐electron oxidation of a cobalt(III) terminal imido precursor. The cobalt(IV) monoimido complex could be isolated at low temperatures in analytically pure form. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry and EPR spectroscopy corroborate the molecular structure and the d5 low‐spin, S=1/2 , electron configuration.

Lithium trimethylsilyldiazomethanide and a cobalt (II) precursor with an N-anchored tris-NHC (TIMENmes ) ligand provide access to the cobalt nitrilimide 1. Complex 1 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry (SC-XRD) and its electronic structure was examined in detail, including EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and computational analyses. The desilylation of the C-(trimethylsilyl)nitrilimide reveals a transient complex with an elusive diazomethanediide ligand, which substitutes one of the mesitylene rings of the ancillary ligand through C-N bond cleavage. This transformation results in the cyclometalated cobalt(II) complex 2, featuring a rare isocyanoamido-κ-C ligand.

Lithium trimethylsilyldiazomethanide and a cobalt (II) precursor with an N‐anchored tris‐NHC (TIMENmes) ligand provide access to the cobalt nitrilimide 1. Complex 1 was structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry (SC‐XRD) and its electronic structure was examined in detail, including EPR spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and computational analyses. The desilylation of the C‐(trimethylsilyl)nitrilimide reveals a transient complex with an elusive diazomethanediide ligand, which substitutes one of the mesitylene rings of the ancillary ligand through C−N bond cleavage. This transformation results in the cyclometalated cobalt(II) complex 2, featuring a rare isocyanoamido‐κ‐C ligand., Trimethylsilylium abstraction from a cobalt nitrilimide complex generates a transient cobalt diazomethanediide complex, which forms a terminal isocyanoamido ligand through a radical de‐arylation.

Reaction of the Co

The homolytic cleavage of O−H and N−H or weak C−H bonds is a key elementary step in redox catalysis, but is thought to be unfeasible for palladium. In stark contrast, reported here is the room temperature and reversible oxidative addition of water, isopropanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, phenol, and aniline to a palladium(0) complex with a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) and a labile pyridino ligand, as is also the case in popular N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) palladium(II) precatalysts. The oxidative addition of protic solvents or adventitious water switches the chemoselectivity in catalysis with alkynes through activation of the terminal C−H bond. Most salient, the homolytic activation of alcohols and amines allows atom‐efficient, additive‐free cross‐coupling and transfer hydrogenation under mild reaction conditions with usually unreactive, yet desirable reagents, including esters and bis(pinacolato)diboron., The oxidative addition of OH, NH, and weak CH bonds to a palladium(0) complex is facile, allows for additive‐free catalysis, and suggests the non‐innocence of water in palladium catalysis. The oxidative addition of protic solvents or adventitious water switches the chemoselectivity in catalysis with alkynes through activation of the terminal C−H bond.

Magnetic bistability in single-molecule magnets (SMMs) is a potential basis for new types of nanoscale information storage material. The standard model for thermally activated relaxation of the magnetization in SMMs is based on the occurrence of a single Orbach process. Here, we show that incorporating a phosphorus atom into the framework of the dysprosium metallocene [(CpiPr5)Dy(CpPEt4)]+[B(C6F5)4]− (CpiPr5 is penta-isopropylcyclopentadienyl, CpPEt4 is tetraethylphospholyl) leads to the occurrence of two distinct high-temperature Orbach processes, with energy barriers of 1410(10) and 747(7) cm–1, respectively. These barriers provide experimental evidence for two different spin–phonon coupling regimes, which we explain with the aid of ab initio calculations. The strong and highly axial crystal field in this SMM also allows magnetic hysteresis to be observed up to 70 K, using a scan rate of 25 Oe s–1. In characterizing this SMM, we show that a conventional Debye model and consideration of rotational contributions to the spin–phonon interaction are insufficient to explain the observed phenomena.

Adding to the versatile class of ionic liquids, we report the detailed structure and property analysis of a new class of asymmetrically substituted imidazolium salts, offering interesting thermal characteristics, such as liquid crystalline behavior, polymorphism or glass transitions. A scalable general synthetic procedure for N-polyaryl-N’-alkyl-functionalized imidazolium salts with para-substituted linker (L) moieties at the aryl chain, namely [LPhmImHR]+ (L=Br, CN, SMe, CO2Et, OH; m=2, 3; R=C12, PEGn; n=2, 3, 4), was developed. These imidazolium salts were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SC-XRD), NMR spectroscopy and thermochemical methods (DSC, TGA). Furthermore, these imidazolium salts were used as N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors for mononuclear, first-row transition metal complexes (MnII, FeII, CoII, NiII, ZnII, CuI, AgI, AuI) and for the dinuclear Ti-supported Fe-NHC complex [(OPy)2Ti(OPh2ImC12)2(FeI2)] (OPy=pyridin-2-ylmethanolate). The complexes were studied concerning their structural and magnetic behavior via multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy, SC-XRD analyses, variable temperature and field-dependent (VT-VF) SQUID magnetization methods, X-band EPR spectroscopy and, where appropriate, zero-field 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.

We elucidate why some electron rich-olefins such as tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) or paraquat (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinylidene) form persistent radical cations, whereas others such as the dimer of N,N′-dimethyl benzimidazolin-2-ylidene (benzNHC) do not. Specifically, three heterodimers derived from cyclic (alkyl) (amino) carbenes (CAAC) with N,N′-dimethyl imidazolin-2-ylidene (NHC), N,N′-dimethyl imidazolidin-2-ylidene (saNHC) and N-methyl benzothiazolin-2-ylidene (btNHC) are reported. Whereas the olefin radical cations with the NHC and btNHC are isolable, the NHC compound with a saturated backbone (saNHC) disproportionates instead to the biscation and olefin. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of the electron-rich olefins derived from the dimerization of the saNHC and btNHC were assessed. Based on the experiments, we propose a general computational method to model the electrochemical potentials and disproportionation equilibrium. This method, which achieves an accuracy of 0.07 V (0.06 V with calibration) in reference to the experimental values, allows for the first time to rationalize and predict the (in)stability of olefin radical cations towards disproportionation. The combined results reveal that the stability of heterodimeric olefin radical cations towards disproportionation is mostly due to aromaticity. In contrast, homodimeric radical cations are in principle isolable, if lacking steric bulk in the 2,2′ positions of the heterocyclic monomers. Rigid tethers increase accordingly the stability of homodimeric radical cations, whereas the electronic effects of substituents seem much less important for the disproportionation equilibrium., Only sterics and aromaticity control whether radical olefin cations are stable.

A novel method for the N−N bond cleavage of trimethylsilyl diazomethane is reported for the synthesis of terminal nitride complexes. The lithium salt of trimethylsilyl diazomethane was used to generate a rare terminal nitrilimine transition metal complex with partially occupied d‐orbitals. This iron complex 2 was characterized by CHN combustion analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, SQUID magnetometry, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and computational analysis. The combined results suggest a high‐spin d 6 (S=2) electronic configuration and an allenic structure of the nitrilimine ligand. Reduction of 2 results in release of the nitrilimine ligand and formation of the iron(I) complex 3, which was characterized by CHN combustion analysis, 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Treatment of 2 with fluoride salts quantitatively yields the diamagnetic FeIV nitride complex 4, with concomitant formation of cyanide and trimethylsilyl fluoride through N−N bond cleavage., Chain reaction: A fluoride salt cleaves the N–N bond of an iron trimethylsilyl nitrilimine complex and generates the terminal nitride, fluorotrimethylsilane, and cyanide. The complementary reactivity of nitrilimine and azido ligands provides a new approach for the synthesis of metal terminal nitrido complexes.

In this manuscript, we report the solvent‐dependent synthesis of 1D coordination polymers derived from two planar N2O2‐coordinate iron(II) complexes FeL1 and FeL2, which incorporate TTF(py)2 as a bridging bis‐monodentate ligand. The obtained 1D polymers were characterized through elemental analysis, Mossbauer spectroscopy, single crystal structure analysis for 2a·2 DMF, magnetic susceptibility measurements, X‐ray powder diffraction, cyclic voltammetry and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, supplemented by DFT computation. The results revealed additive electronic properties of the sub‐units FeL and TTF(py)2 with only minor mutual influence. Intriguingly however, the solvent‐of‐synthesis is found to be a steering factor of the magnetic spin crossover properties of the resulting materials, yielding divergent behavior if obtained from DMF, MeCN or EtOH. This becomes strikingly evident for the magnetic properties of the DMF‐derived polymer which is found trapped in the low‐spin state in the single crystal 2a· 2 DMF, but shows a gradual spin crossover if all solvent is removed.

Stable coordination complexes of TiII (3d2) are relatively uncommon, but are of interest as synthons for low oxidation state titanium complexes for application as potential catalysts and reagents for organic synthesis. Specifically, high-spin TiII ions supported by redox-inactive ligands are still quite rare due to the reducing power of this soft ion. Among such TiII complexes is trans-[TiCl2(tmeda)2], where tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethane-1,2-diamine. This complex was first reported by Gambarotta and co-workers almost 30 years ago, but it was not spectroscopically characterized and theoretical investigation by quantum chemical theory (QCT) was not feasible at that time. As part of our interest in low oxidation state early transition metal complexes, we have revisited this complex and report a modified synthesis and a low temperature (100 K) crystal structure that differs slightly from that originally reported at ambient temperature. We have used magnetometry, high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR), and variable-temperature variable-field magnetic circular dichroism (VTVH-MCD) spectroscopies to characterize trans-[TiCl2(tmeda)2]. These techniques yield the following S = 1 spin Hamiltonian parameters for the complex: D = -5.23(1) cm-1, E = -0.88(1) cm-1, (E/D = 0.17), g = [1.86(1), 1.94(2), 1.77(1)]. This information, in combination with electronic transitions from MCD, was used as input for both classical ligand-field theory (LFT) and detailed QCT studies, the latter including both density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio methods. These computational methods are seldom applied to paramagnetic early transition metal complexes, particularly those with S > 1/2. Our studies provide a complete picture of the electronic structure of this complex that can be put into context with the few other high-spin and mononuclear TiII species characterized to date.

International audience; We here report the synthesis and characterization of a complete series of terminal hydrochalcogenido, U-EH, and chalcogenido uranium(iv) complexes, U equivalent to E (with E = O, S, Se, Te), supported by the ((ArOH)-Ar-Ad,Me)(3)tacn (1,4,7-tris(3-(1-adamantyl)-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligand system. Reaction of H2E with the trivalent precursor [(((ArO)-Ar-Ad,Me)(3)tacn)U] (1) yields the corresponding uranium(iv) hydrochalcogenido complexes [(((ArO)-Ar-Ad,Me)(3)tacn)U(EH)] (2). Subsequent deprotonation of the terminal hydrochalcogenido species with KN(SiMe3)(2), in the presence of 2.2.2-cryptand, gives access to the uranium(iv) complexes with terminal chalcogenido ligands [K(2.2.2-crypt)][(((ArO)-Ar-Ad,Me)(3)tacn)U equivalent to E] (3). In order to study the influence of the varying terminal chalogenido ligands on the overall molecular and electronic structure, all complexes were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, UV/vis/NIR, electronic absorption, and IR vibrational spectroscopy as well as SQUID magnetometry and computational analyses (DFT, MO, NBO).

Correction for ‘Aromaticity and sterics control whether a cationic olefin radical is resistant to disproportionation’ by Julian Messelberger et al., Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 4138–4149, DOI: 10.1039/D0SC00699H.

Chiral P C cage compound tetra-tert-butyl-P5-deltacyclene 7 and the coinage metal salts CuCl, CH3COOAg, and (PPh3)AuCl form binuclear complexes with the metal atoms in the bridging position. In the case of copper, a Cu2Cl2 ring connects two intact ligands 7, with tertiary P2 as the active donor center. For silver and gold, P5 of the cage becomes deprotonated and acts as a second ligand function. Two parallel and linear P-M-P bridges result with a moderate M …. .M d10-d10 metallophilic interaction. In contrast to that, the Rh(I) ion of dimeric [(1,5-COD)RhCl]2 adds to 7 in an oxidative addition to the P P bond of the smallest ring structure of 7, a diphosphirane. A partially opened cage structure results and three of the five P-atoms coordinate to Rh(III) to form a central Rh2P2 ring which links the cages. All four complexes are Ci symmetric in the solid state and form meso-diastereomers. Because of symmetry reasons, rac-diastereomers of the complexes should exist as well. Two sets of NMR spectra A and B are indeed observable for all of them which agree well with a pair of diastereomers, but no unambiguous relation between A and B on the one side and rac- and meso-diastereomers at the other side has been found.

Enantiomerically pure C1 and C2-symmetric bidentate N,N- and N,P-ligands are accessible from (+)-camphor in good yields (60–90%). Modified syntheses of precursors 1 and 2 are disclosed as well as the crystal structures of three hydroxy-pyrazoline intermediates. Ligands 3, 4, 6, and 11 were fully characterized including an X-ray crystal structure of C2-symmetric 6, which showed an E-configuration in the solid state. These ligands form complexes with Ni(II), Pd(II), and Rh(I) in good yields (84–96%); the X-ray crystal structures of complexes 12, 14, and 16 confirmed the bidentate coordination modes of ligands 4, 6, and 11 and distorted tetrahedral [for Ni(II)] and square planar [for Rh(I)] coordination geometries. Furthermore, the structure of the Rh(I) complex 16 revealed the presence of a Ph2PCl ligand, which, along with spectroscopic data, is proof of an almost quantitative P–N bond cleavage upon coordination of ligand 11 to [RhCl(COD)]2.

Iron-containing ionic liquid crystals of N,N′-dialkylimidazolium salts ([(CnH2n+1)2IM]3[Fe(CN)6], with n = 12 (1), 14 (2), 16 (3), 18 (4), IM = imidazolium) were prepared and their structures and properties were characterized. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) as well as powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis reveal for all compounds thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior. The observed textures point to smectic A and smectic X phases. The crystal structure of the solvate [C12C12IM]3[Fe(CN)6]·2 DMSO (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide) was examined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis which reveals two crystallographically independent [C12C12IM]+ cations with different conformation, U-shape and rod-shape, together with a nearly ideal octahedral [Fe(CN)6]3− anion and two DMSO solvent molecules. The crystal packing is characterized by alternating bilayers of almost linearly arranged imidazolium cations with the U-shaped cations being arranged in a head-to-head fashion and the cations' hydrophobic dodecyl chains being interdigitated. Magnetic measurements for compounds 1–4 show paramagnetic moments, μeff, of ~1.7 μB, which are close to the theoretically expected value for a d5 low-spin Fe3+ spin-only S = 1/2 system (μeffs.o. = 1.73 μB). It was possible to obtain an Fe3+ containing ILC material that combines liquid crystalline behavior over a large mesophase window (from 33 °C to 170 °C) with high magnetic susceptibility by mixing compound 3 with [C16C16IM][FeCl4] (5), which contains the d5 high-spin Fe3+ ion (S = 5/2). All compounds are highly hydrophobic and stable in the atmosphere indicating a great potential of applications as functional materials.

The synthesis and characterization of a mixed metal ruthenium(ii)/gold(iii) complex bridged by tetrapyridophenazine (tpphz) are described. It is isostructural and isoelectronic to the well-known photocatalysts with palladium(ii) or platinum(ii). Concentration dependent (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and XRD studies show that the electrostatic repulsion between the gold(iii) moieties exceeds the attractive π-stacking interaction. Theoretical calculations based on the new structural data confirm an increased positive charge on the bridging ligand as well as significantly altered orbital symmetry as compared to the previously investigated palladium(ii) complex. This is the first example of a tpphz ruthenium(ii) complex where π-stacking is completely inhibited. The detailed investigation of the solid-state structure showed for the first time in bimetallic tpphz bridged complexes no significant torsion within the bridging ligand itself. Although catalytic performance for proton reduction by gold(iii) is naturally not observed, its photochemical decomposition in colloidal gold particles could be shown by TEM and DLS.

In an earlier study we investigated the reaction of iron(II) chloride with NO in a strongly coordinating ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [emim][dca] and showed that the actual reactive species in solution was [Fe II (dca) 5 Cl] 4 − . For the present report we investigated in detail how this reaction could proceed in a noncoordinating ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimida- zolium tri fl uoromethylsulfonate [emim][OTf]. The donor ability of OTf − is much lower than that of dca − , such that the solubility of FeCl 2 in [emim][OTf] strongly depended on other donors like water or chloride ions present or added to the ionic liquid. On increasing the chloride concentration in [emim][OTf], the tetrachloridoferrate complex [emim] 2 [FeCl 4 ] was formed, as veri fi ed by X-ray crystallography. This complex undergoes reversible binding of NO, for which the UV − vis spectral characteristics of the green − brown nitrosyl product resembled that found for the corresponding nitrosyl complexes formed in water and [emim][dca] as solvents. A detailed analysis of the spectra revealed that the {Fe − NO} 7 species has Fe II − NO • character in contrast to Fe III − NO − as found for the other solvents. The formation constant, however, is much higher than in [emim][dca], lying closer to the value found for water as solvent. Surprisingly, the Mo ssbauer spectrum found in [emim][OTf] is very unusual and unsimilar to that found in water and [emim][dca] as solvents, pointing at a di ff erent electron density distribution between Fe and NO in {Fe − NO}. 7 First, the high isomer shift points to the presence of iron(II) species in solution, thus indicating that upon NO binding no oxidation to iron(III) occurs. Second, the negligible quadrupole splitting suggests a high local symmetry around the iron center. The nitrosyl product is suggested to be [Fe II Cl 3 NO] − , which is supported by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and IR measurements. The nature of the Fe(II) complexes formed in [emim][OTf] depends on the additives required to dissolve FeCl 2 in this ionic liquid.

We report the syntheses, electronic properties, and molecular structures of a series of mono- and dinuclear uranium(IV) hydrochalcogenido complexes supported by the sterically demanding but very flexible, single N-anchored tris(aryloxide) ligand (AdArO)3N)3−. The mononuclear complexes [((AdArO)3N)U(DME)(EH)] (E = S, Se, Te) can be obtained from the reaction of the uranium(III) starting material [((AdArO)3N)UIII(DME)] in DME via reduction of H2E and the elimination of 0.5 equivalents of H2. The dinuclear complexes [{((AdArO)3N)U}2(μ-EH)2] can be obtained by dissolving their mononuclear counterparts in non-coordinating solvents such as benzene. In order to facilitate the work with the highly toxic gases, we created concentrated THF solutions that can be handled using simple glovebox techniques and can be stored at −35 °C for several weeks.

Valence tautomeric (VT) metal complexes are highly promising bistable molecular compounds for applications as molecular switches in molecular electronics and spintronics. Although VT species can be switched with light, the photoswitching in all reported systems requires very low temperatures (usually below 20 K) because photoinduced states are highly unstable at room temperature. The thermal instability hinders any practical application of these complexes in genuine devices. In this report, for the first time we demonstrate photoswitching of VT species and associated magnetic properties at room temperature. The bidirectional photoswitching in solution is due to cis–trans photoisomerizable 4-styrylpyridine ligands deliberately integrated into cobalt dioxolene molecular complexes. The novel type of photoswitching has been coined Ligand-Driven Light-Induced Valence Tautomerism (LD-LIVT). The photoconversion of VT states of 28% has been achieved in solution at room temperature. The photoinduced states show extraordinary thermal stability for hours at room temperature, as compared to common nanoseconds reported previously. The switching proceeds at molecular level with the effective photoswitching rate of 3 × 1013 molecules per s under our conditions. Consequently, this work may open new horizons in applications of molecular switches based on VT metal complexes in molecular devices functioning at room temperature.

In a multiple-bond metathesis reaction, the triazacyclononane (tacn)-anchored methyl- and neopentyl (nP)-substituted tris(aryloxide) U(III) complex [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(III)] (1) reacts with mesityl azide and CO2 to form mesityl isocyanate and the dinuclear bis(μ-oxo)-bridged U(V)/U(V) complex [{(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(V)}2(μ-O)2] (3). This reaction proceeds via the mononuclear U(V) imido intermediate [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(V)(NMes)] (2), which has been synthesized and fully characterized independently. The dimeric U(V) oxo species shows rich redox behavior: complex 3 can be reduced by one and two electrons, respectively, yielding the mixed-valent U(IV)/U(V) bis(μ-oxo) complex [K(crypt)][{(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(IV/V)}2(μ-O)2] (7) and the U(IV)/U(IV) bis(μ-oxo) complex K2[{(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(IV)}2(μ-O)2] (6). In addition, complex 3 can be oxidized to provide the mononuclear uranium(VI) oxo complexes [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(VI)(O)eq(OTf)ax] (8) and [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(VI)(O)eq]SbF6 (9). The unique series of bis(μ-oxo) complexes also shows notable magnetic behavior, which was investigated in detail by UV/vis/NIR and EPR spectroscopy as well as SQUID magnetization studies. In order to understand possible magnetic exchange phenomena, the mononuclear terminal oxo complexes [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(V)(O)(O-pyridine)] (4) and [(((nP,Me)ArO)3tacn)U(V)(O)(O-NMe3)] (5) were synthesized and fully characterized. The magnetic study revealed an unusually strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the two U(V) ions in 3. Examination of the (18)O-labeled bis(μ-oxo)-bridged dinuclear complexes 3, 6, and 7 allowed for the first time the unambiguous assignment of the vibrational signature of the [U(μ-O)2U] diamond core structural motif.

Dibenzazepinyl dichlorophosphine 2 reacts with (R,R)-2,3-O-isopropylidene-threitol (3) in Et2O solution to afford gram-quantities of the enantiopure macrocylic phosphoramidite (all-R)-6, which may be seen as a formal dimer of classic phosphoramidite P-alkene hybrid ligands. Complexation experiments with PdCl2 reveal highly selective formation of the trans-dinuclear complex (all-R)-11. The corresponding bulkier and rigidly trans-eclipsed 1,4-diol (S,S)-bis-hydroximethyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethaneanthracene (4), does not favor macrocycle formation and exclusively leads to the new dibenzazepinyl phsophormaidite P-alkene ligand 7, which in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic amination comes the well-known ‘privileged’ binol-derived P-alkene analogue 1 close in terms of enantioselection.

We report the syntheses, electronic properties, and molecular structures of a series of polychalcogenido-bridged dinuclear uranium species. These complexes are supported by the sterically encumbering but highly flexible, single N-anchored tris(aryloxide) chelator (AdArO)3N3−. Reaction of an appropriate uranium precursor, either the U(III) starting material, [((AdArO)3N)U(DME)], or the dinuclear mono-chalcogenido-bridged uranium(IV/IV) compounds [{((AdArO)3N)U(DME)}2(μ-E)] (E = S, Se), with elemental sulfur or selenium, yields new complexes with a variety of bridging chalcogenide entities μ-Emn− (E = S, m = 2, n = 1 or 2 and E = Se, m = 2, 4; n = 2). Activation of the heavy chalcogens typically requires either a coordinatively unsaturated, strongly-reducing metal complex or a compound with a metal–metal bond. Since uranium complexes in the +IV oxidation state, are generally considered rather unreactive, the observed reaction of the here employed uranium(IV)/(IV) species with elemental chalcogens is fairly remarkable.

The influence of tridentate, nitrogen donor ligands, on the stability of gold(III) complexes under physiological conditions was investigated. The interaction of [Au(terpy)Cl](2+) (terpy = 2,2':6'2'' terpyridine), [Au(bpma)Cl](2+) (bpma = bis(pyridyl-methyl)amine), [Au(dien)Cl](2+) (dien = diethylenetriamine) and [AuCl4](-) with the biologically relevant thiols, L-cysteine (L-Cys) and glutathione (GSH), and thioether, L-methionine (L-Met), was studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, (1)H NMR spectroscopy and ESI-MS. In this study, the rate constants for substitution reactions between monofunctional gold(III) complexes and sulfur donor ligands in aqueous solution were determined at different initial concentrations of reactants, chloride ions, pH and constant ionic strength. The obtained second-order rate constants for the reaction with L-methionine in the absence of added chloride at pH 2.5 and 25 °C follow the sequence (7.5 ± 0.4) × 10(3)(4.5 ± 0.1) × 10(2)88.3 ± 0.8 M(-1) s(-1) for the terpy, bpma and dien complexes, respectively, demonstrating that the substitution step could be detected prior to the reduction step. This behavior was expected due to the influence of a decreasing π-donor ability of the chelate ligands, which slows down the substitution reactions along the series of complexes studied. In order to throw more light on the mechanism of biological activity of gold(iii) compounds, such a systematic study was performed for all the mentioned thiols and thioether.

The reactions of rac- and (S,S)-trans-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11,12-diamine (ANDEN) with PClPh2 in the presence of NEt3 yield the chiral amino-phosphine ligands rac-6 and (S,S)-6, respectively, on multi-gram scales. Both forms of 6 react quantitatively with MgPh2 to afford the C2-symmetric, N-bound Mg amidophosphine complexes rac-7 and (S,S)-7. The former crystallizes as a racemic conglomerate, which is a rare occurrence. Mixing (S,S)- or rac-6 with [IrCl(COE)2]2 leads in both cases to the homochiral dinuclear chloro-bridged P-ligated aminophosphine iridium complexes (S,S,S,S)-9 and rac-9 in excellent yields. X-ray quality single crystals only grow as the racemic compound (or ‘true racemate’) rac-9 thanks to its lowered solubility. In the coordinating solvent CH3CN, rac-9 transforms in high yield into mononuclear Ir-complex rac-10. The crystal structures of compounds rac-6, (S,S)-7, rac-9, and rac-10 reveal the ambidentate nature of the P–N function: amide-coordination in the Mg-complex (S,S)-7 and P-chelation of the softer Ir(I) centres in complexes rac-9 and rac-10. Furthermore, the crystal structures show flexible, symmetry lowering seven-membered P-chelate rings in the Ir complexes and a surprising amount of deformation within the ANDEN backbone. The simulation of this deformation by DFT and SCF calculations indicates low energy barriers. (S,S)-7 and (S,S,S,S)-9 catalyze the intra- and intermolecular hydroamination of alkenes, respectively: 5 mol% of (S,S)-7 affords 2-methyl-4,4′-diphenylcyclopentyl amine quantitatively (7% ee), and 2.5 mol% of (S,S,S,S)-9 in the presence of 5.0 mol% co-catalyst (LDA, PhLi, or MgPh2) gives exo-(2-arylamino)bornanes in up to 68% yield and up to 16% ee.

Cage-chiral tetra-tert-butyl-P5-deltacyclene is accessible as a pair of highly enriched enantiomers and . The only secondary phosphorus atom P1 of the cage can be selectively oxidized by reaction with t-BuOOH. The P1-oxo species and , allow the direct determination of their ee values. Oxidation occurs with the complete retention of the optical activity of the compounds. The chiroptical properties of and are strongly dominated by their cage chirality, the oxygen atom does not contribute significantly. Elemental sulfur and selenium oxidize P5 with high preference to yield P5-thio- and P5-seleno-P5-deltacyclenes and of the intact cages again. Longer reaction time and more than stoichiometric amounts of selenium, leads to tri-seleno-P5-tetracycloundecane , a partially opened oxidized rearrangement product. The ligand properties of racemic were determined. Diphosphetane phosphorus atom P2 of is the active donor center to bind a Cr(CO)5 fragment, but a tautomerization of takes place if [(benzene)RuCl2]2 is added. A hydrogen atom migrates from P1 to the oxygen atom to form a phosphinous acid ligand. The lone pair of P1 is regenerated and acts as the active ligand function of the cage in this case. As for , the base n-BuLi induces an efficient cage rearrangement reaction of , where P1 and the neighboring carbon atom C4 containing its t-Bu substituent change places. C4 moves to its new position without breaking the bond with P5, this way forming the novel P1-oxo-P5-norsnoutene cage in a highly diastereoselective process.

New insights into [18]annulene were gained by looking more closely at its X-ray structure, revealing a close face-to-face stacking of 3.16 A in a herringbone-like crystal packing. Hexadehydro[18]annulene was co-crystalized in a benzene matrix, demonstrating the stabilizing role of intercalated solvent molecules in solid annulenes.

Cyclometalated platinum(II) complex [Pt(C^N)Cl(dmso)], 1, in which C^N = N(1),C(2′)-chelated deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine and dmso = dimethylsulfoxide, was reacted with 1 equiv of 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, dppf, to give the cyclometalated diplatinum(II) complex [Pt2(C^N)2Cl2(μ-dppf)], 2, along with 0.5 equiv of unreacted dppf. However, the related reaction with 0.5 equiv of dppf produced complex 2 in pure form. Complex 2 in solution was fully characterized by using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 31P, and 195Pt) and a number of 2D NMR experiments. The structure of complex 2 in solid state was determined by X-ray crystallography showing that the bridging dppf ligand is arranged close to “antiperiplanar staggered” conformation. Cytotoxicity of the complex 2 was studied in three human cancer cell lines derived from ovarian carcinoma(CH1), lung carcinoma(A549), and colon carcinoma (SW480) by means of the MTT assay (MTT = 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide).

We recently reported the first example of a palladium(ii) terminal imido complex. We proposed that this complex features exceptional high nucleophilicity at the nitrogen atom and a peculiar zwitterionic electronic structure with an anti-bonding highest-occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). This complex swiftly activated moderately acidic CH, OH, and NH bonds and also reacted with dihydrogen. However, unambiguous nucleophilic reactivity with substrates not featuring a hydrogen atom could not be observed. Herein, we now show that this nucleophilic complex also reacts with CO2 to give a ring-strained four-membered palladium(ii) carbamate complex. Remarkably, the same product is obtained in the reaction of the related bisamido complex, albeit at a slower reaction rate. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the addition of CO2 does not proceed via initial 1,2-addition across the Pd–N bond, but instead through nucleophilic attack by the imido (amido respectively) nitrogen atom.

2,4,6-Tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphinine (7) was combined with 1,5-COD or 2,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diphosphete to form iron π-complexes. The ligands of highly reactive [(2,4-di-tert-butyl-1,3-diphosphete)(2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphinine)Fe] (8) are formed by cyclooligomerization of tert-butylphosphaalkyne (3) under the influence of the iron atom. 8 rearranges spontaneously to yield penta-tert-butyl-pentaphosphaferrocene (9) as the isolable product. An intramolecular electron transfer product [(1,5-COD)(η6-1,3,5-triphosphacyclohexa-2,5-dine-1,4-diyl)Fe(2+)] (12) is obtained with 1,5-COD. Addition of [(CO)5Cr(THF)] initiates an interligand hydrogen transfer to form [(η5-trihydropentalenyl)Fe(μ,1-3-η-4,5,6-trihydro-1,3,5-triphosphinine)Cr(CO)5] (13) Extensive DFT calculations of isolated and reactive species, and several possible intermediates agree with the experimental observations and revealed for the first time a possible reaction sequence, which allows a low-activated exchange of ring elements between the ligands of sandwich complex 8 to form 9. The process is based on the specific combination of the metal and its heterocyclic π-ligands. Both, singlet and triplet spin states play an important role in the process.

The diamantane functionalized triazacyclononane ligand ( Dia ArOH) 3 tacn (L 3 ) has been synthesized and the reactivity of its U(III) metallated product [(( Dia ArO) 3 tacn)U] (1) has been explored. Complex 1 promotes dichloromethane and azidotrimethylsilane activation to generate U(IV) complex [(( Dia ArO) 3 tacn)U(Cl)] (2) and U(V) complex [(( Dia ArO) 3 tacn)U(NTMS)] (3), respectively. Spectroscopic investigations of complexes 1, 2, and 3 will be discussed, along with molecular structures where possible.

The results of a detailed investigation of the influence of substituents in a variety of ruthenium biimidazole-type complexes [Ru(R-bpy)2(R´-bi(bz)imH2)]2+ (R = H, tBu; R´ = H,Me; bi(bz)imH2 = 2,2´-bi(benz)imidazole) on selected structural and photophysical properties is reported. The photophysical properties are only marginally influenced by the substituents at the bipyridine and the biimidazole core. All complexes show intense absorptions in the visible range of the spectrum with maxima around 475 nm, and emission from the formed excited state occurs at wavelengths between 650 and 670 nm. The comparison of structural properties determined by X-ray analysis within a series of related complexes shows that the Ru-N bond lengths to the coordinated bipyridines are not significantly influenced by the substituents, but slight differences in the Ru-N bond lengths to the biimidazole-type ligands can be detected. The reactions between ruthenium complexes containing different biimidazole-type ligands with the sulfate dianion, however, show a strong correlation between the substituents at the biimidazole core and the solubility of the product. The bibenzimidazolecontaining complexes precipitate from aqueous solution whereas the ruthenium complex containing unsubstituted biimidazole stays in solution. The solid-state structure of one example of the sulfatecontaining products (2b) shows that strong hydrogen bonds between the secondary amine function of the bibenzimidazole and the oxygen functionalities of the sulfate contribute to this unexpected behavior.

Synthesis and characterization of a manganese complex of a new redox-active diaminocyclohexane derivative of a thiourea-based ligand with SNNNS donor atom set is reported. The molecular structure of the complex exhibits a pentadentate SNNNS ligand coordinated in the neutral form to the Mn(II) center. The coordination around the central metal is best described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal with the pyridine nitrogen and the two sulfur atoms being in the equatorial plane and the remaining two nitrogen donors occupying the apical positions of the bipyramid. Cyclic voltammetry in DMSO shows the MnII/MnIII redox couple with the oxidation peak at −0.199 V and the reduction peak at −0.587 V vs. Fc/Fc+ (scan rate 0.5 V s−1). The ligand itself possesses redox activity and exhibits prominent oxidation and reduction peaks at −1.194 and −1.481 V vs. Fc/Fc+, respectively. The results of electrochemical experiments under oxygen atmosphere suggest that upon reaction with electrochemically generated superoxide the redox-active ligand is modified causing decomposition of the complex.

A pyridine-derived tetraphosphane ligand (donor set: NP4) has been found to undergo remarkably specific C-P bond cleavage reactions, thereby producing a ligand with an NP3 donor set. The reaction may be reversed under suitable conditions, with regeneration of the original NP4 ligand. In order to investigate the mechanism of this reaction, the NP3 donor ligand C5H3N[CMe(CH2PMe2)2][CMe2(CH2PMe2)] (11) was prepared, and its iron(II) complex 4 generated from Fe(BF4)2 ・6H2O, with methyl diethylphosphinite (7) as an additional monodentate ligand. Ligand 11 has, in addition to the NP3 donor set, one methyl group in close contact with the iron center, reminiscent of an agostic M・ ・ ・H-C interaction. Depending on the stoichiometric amount of iron(II) salt, a side product 15 is formed, which has a diethylphosphane ligand instead of the phosphinite 7 coordinated to iron(II). While attempts to deprotonate the metal-coordinated methyl group in 4 were unsuccessful, the reaction was shown to occur in an alternative complex (18), which is similar to 4 but has a trimethylphosphane ligand instead of the phosphinite 7. The reaction of complex 15 with CO gave two different products, which were both characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. One (19) is the dicarbonyl iron(II) complex of the triphosphane ligand 11, the other (3) is the carbonyl iron(II) complex of the tetraphosphane C5H3N[CMe(CH2PMe2)2]2 (1). This suggests an intermolecular mechanism for the C-P bond formation in question.

The tripodal N,N,O ligands 3,3-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbdmpzp) (1) and 3,3-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbpzp) (2) form the “missing link” between the well-known bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acids and related ligands with a longer “carboxylate arm”. To illustrate the reactivity of this ligand, manganese and rhenium complexes bearing the ligand bdmpzp are reported. The complexes are compared to related compounds bearing other tripod ligands such as bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate (bdmpza) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (bmip). Spectroscopic and structural data are used as a basis for comparison, as well as DFT calculations. Both ligands 1 and 2 and the complexes fac-[Mn(bdmpzp)(CO)3] (3) and fac-[Re(bdmpzp)(CO)3] (4) were characterised by X-ray crystallography.

2,4,5-Tri(t-butyl)-1,3-diphospholyl sodium salt (2a) and 3,5-di(t-butyl)-1,2,4-triphospholyl sodium salt (3a) react with ZrCl4 and CpZrCl3 to form (η5-2,4,5-tri(t-butyl)-1,3-diphospholyl)ZrCl3 (4), Cp(η5-2,4,5-tri(t-butyl)-1,3-diphospholyl)ZrCl2 (5), and Cp(η5-3,5-di(t-butyl)-1,2,4-triphospholyl)ZrCl2 (6) in the complete absence of water, respectively. Surprisingly, bent sandwich complex 6 exhibits the NMR spectroscopic characteristics of a hindered ring ligand rotation but the cyclopentadienyl ligand of 5 rotates freely in the NMR time scale in spite of the superior space demand of its 2,4,5-tri(t-butyl)-1,3-diphospholyl ligand. This contradiction is discussed on the basis of an attractive interligand P–C interaction between homo- and heterocyclic π-ligands, which is stronger for 6. Water even in trace amounts present in the reaction mixture changes the course of the reactions completely. No zirconium π-complexes are accessible this way, but only oligo- or polycyclic organophosphorus compounds. Compound 3a and ZrCl4 form the asymmetric tricyclic P6(t-BuC)4H2 isomer 8 with two P C double bonds as a dimer of 1,2,4-triphosphol. It is accompanied by small amounts of HCl addition product 9, where one of the P C double bonds is eliminated. Compound 8 contains six, and 9 eight stereogenic centers, but both form one pair of enantiomers each only. A single stereoisomer of P6(t-BuC)4H2 cage 10 is formed if (1-trimethylstannyl)-3,5-di(t-butyl)-1,2,4-triphosphol 3b is used as the P3(t-BuC)2 source in combination with Cp∗ZrCl3 in the presence of trace amounts of water. Compound 10 is a meso-compound, which is composed by dimerization of either two homochiral units of (R)-3,5-di(t-butyl)-1,2,4-triphosphol 3cR or by two units of its S-enantiomer 3cS. No trace of cyclic addition products has been identified, which would represent the heterochiral combination of enantiomers 3cR + 3cS. P2- and P3-zirconocene dichloride derivatives 5 and 6 have been tested as Ziegler–Natta alkene oligomerization catalysts. Both are catalytically active with 1-hexene as the substrate, but cannot compete with the activity of the phosphorus-free original catalyst Cp2ZrCl2.

A series of silver tris(perfluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate (Ag[FAP]) complexes with various ligands (acetonitrile ACN, chloroacetonitrile Cl-ACN, acrylonitrile acryl-CN, pyridine py, ethylenediamine en and propene C3H6) have been synthesized starting from Ag[NO3] and K[FAP] using three different routes. Physicochemical properties as well as crystal structures ([Ag(ACN)2/4][FAP], [Ag(py)2][FAP]) were determined and the suitability of such Ag salts for propene/propane separation processes was investigated. The investigated silver complexes exhibit either low melting points or form liquid complexes when contacted with gaseous propene at 30 °C. This makes them promising separation materials for both liquid membranes and absorber fluids due to their high silver content and significant propene capacity. Single (iGSC) and mixed (NMR) gas solubilities as well as diffusion coefficients (PFG-NMR) of propene and propane were determined to predict the theoretical selectivity of solubility, membrane selectivity, capacity and transport properties of the silver salts according to the solution diffusion model. A strong influence of the number and type of ligands on chemical complexation, physicochemical properties and separation performance has been observed.

We report the synthesis and characterization of terminal uranium(iv) hydrosulfido and sulfido complexes, supported by the hexadentate, tacn-based ligand (Ad,MeArO)3tacn3–., Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of terminal uranium(iv) hydrosulfido and sulfido complexes, supported by the hexadentate, tacn-based ligand framework (Ad,MeArO)3tacn3– (= trianion of 1,4,7-tris(3-(1-adamantyl)-5-methyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). The hydrosulfido complex [((Ad,MeArO)3tacn)U–SH] (2) is obtained from the reaction of H2S with the uranium(iii) starting material [((Ad,MeArO)3tacn)U] (1) in THF. Subsequent deprotonation with potassium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide yields the mononuclear uranium(iv) sulfido species in good yields. With the aid of dibenzo-18-crown-6 and 2.2.2-cryptand, it was possible to isolate a terminal sulfido species, capped by the potassium counter ion, and a “free” terminal sulfido species with a well separated cation/anion pair. Spectroscopic and computational analyses provided insights into the nature of the uranium–sulfur bond in these complexes.

The reductive disproportionation of nitric oxide (1 atm) is mediated by the bulky U(III) aryloxide [U(III)(OAr(Ad,Ad,Me))3] ((Ad,Ad,Me)ArO = O-C6H2-2,6-Ad-4-Me) (1) to form the U(V) terminal oxo species [((Ad,Ad,Me)ArO)3U(V)(O)] (2) and N2O, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and GC-MS measurements. The reaction is quantitative in the solid state. Mechanistic and theoretical studies of the reaction suggest that the N-N bond is formed by the coupling of an η(1)-O bound nitric oxide ligand with gaseous NO to give an η(1)-(N2O2)(1-) intermediate prior to the spontaneous extrusion of N2O to yield the U(V) terminal oxo species 2.

Depleted uranium is a mildly radioactive waste product that is stockpiled worldwide. The chemical reactivity of uranium complexes is well documented, including the stoichiometric activation of small molecules of biological and industrial interest such as H2O, CO2, CO, or N2 (refs 1 - 11), but catalytic transformations with actinides remain underexplored in comparison to transition-metal catalysis. For reduction of water to H2, complexes of low-valent uranium show the highest potential, but are known to react violently and uncontrollably forming stable bridging oxo or uranyl species. As a result, only a few oxidations of uranium with water have been reported so far; all stoichiometric. Catalytic H2 production, however, requires the reductive recovery of the catalyst via a challenging cleavage of the uranium-bound oxygen-containing ligand. Here we report the electrocatalytic water reduction observed with a trisaryloxide U(III) complex [(((Ad,Me)ArO)3mes)U] (refs 18 and 19)--the first homogeneous uranium catalyst for H2 production from H2O. The catalytic cycle involves rare terminal U(IV)-OH and U(V)=O complexes, which have been isolated, characterized, and proven to be integral parts of the catalytic mechanism. The recognition of uranium compounds as potentially useful catalysts suggests new applications for such light actinides. The development of uranium-based catalysts provides new perspectives on nuclear waste management strategies, by suggesting that mildly radioactive depleted uranium--an abundant waste product of the nuclear power industry--could be a valuable resource.