The first cyclopentadienyl complex of uranyl.

The U(iv) linear pentacyano metallocene [U(C5Me5)2(CN)5][NEt4]3 reacted with 2 molar equivalents of pyridine N-oxide in THF or acetonitrile to give the U(vi) complex [UO2(C5Me5)(CN)3][NEt4]2, the first uranyl species containing the cyclopentadienyl ligand; the crystal structure revealed that the steric effects of the (C5Me5) ligand force the {UO2}2+ ion to deviate from linearity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]