Cluster compounds are of particular interest for their ability to exhibit charge delocalization and multi-electron reactivity. While properties such as mixed valence is known for the transition metals and uranium, it is well studied in the transition metals, and not as well studied for uranium.
Work with titanium has shown ammonolysis of (C₅Me₅)TiMe₃ yields the soluble cluster (C₅Me₅)₃Ti₃(m₃-N)(m-NH)₃. The [3Ti4N]⁶⁺ cluster is capable of binding various metals to form heterometallic [3TiM4N]ⁿ⁺ clusters, which exhibit delocalized behavior when reduced. This led us to investigate the synthesis and characterization of the analogous uranium chemistry, preparing (C₅Me₅)₃Ti₃(μ₃-N)₄U(C₅Me₅) and (C₅Me₅)₆U₆(μ-NH)₆(μ-NH₂)₆. I will discuss the synthesis and characterization of these clusters as well as our efforts toward the reduction and characterization of other clusters.
Alongside uranium, plutonium is also known to exhibit unusual electronic structure. I will discuss efforts to prepare a facility for the handling of trans-uranium elements. Using this platform, we seek to better quantify and study charge delocalization in soluble organoactinide nitrogen-based clusters.

Baylor Barnes

Appearances