Uranium(III)/(IV) nitrile adducts including Ul(sub 4)(N=CPh)(sub 4), a synthetically useful uranium(IV) complex

Characterization of products from the oxidation of uranium metal with 1.3 equiv of iodine in nitrile solvents is described, while this reaction is carried out in acetonitrile, isolated the [U(N=CMe)(sub 9)][UI(sub 6)][I]. The same reaction carried out in benzonitrile provides UI(sub 4)(N=CPh)(sub 4) as the only product.