A simple redox transmetallation synthesis of uranium tetrachloride and related preparations of uranium triiodide and chlorotris(cyclopentadienyl)uranium(IV)

Reaction of mercuric chloride with an excess of uranium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) yields UCl 4 (THF) 3 , whilst UI 3 (THF) 4 is obtained from a similar reaction with mercuric iodide. Chlorotris(cyclopentadienyl)uranium(IV) has been obtained by treatment of either (C 5 H 5 ) 2 Hg and mercuric chloride, or mercuric chloride and Tl(C 5 H 5 ) with an excess of uranium in tetrahydrofuran.