The U[double bond]C double bond: synthesis and study of uranium nucleophilic carbene complexes

The synthesis and crystal structures of U(IV) carbene compounds, including the first homoleptic tris-carbene complex are described. The U[double bond]C bond in the complexes has presented a nucleophilic character and the density functional theory calculations have proved the involvement of both 5f and 6d orbitals in both the [sigma] and the [pi] U-C bonds.