Synthesis of bulky hydride ligands: m-terphenylborohydride complexes with trivalent uranium and neodymium

Abstract

Here we describe the first coordination complexes containing a bulky m-terphenyltrihydroborate ligand. Treating [UI3(thf)4] and NdCl3 with three equiv. of Li(H3BArtBu4)(Et2O) (where ArtBu4 = 2,6-(3,5-tBu2C6H3)2C6H3) yielded [M(H3BArtBu4)3(thf)2] (M = U and Nd). [U(H3BArtBu4)3(dme)2] is also described, and structural comparisons reveal the influence of the Lewis base on H3BArtBu4 positioning.