Publications Repository - Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf

The structure of a new type of poly-oxo cluster complex that contains thirteen uranium atoms, {U13}, is reported. The complex crystallises from methanol containing tetravalent uranium (U(IV)) with a basic organic ligand, and is characterised as [U13(μ4-Ooxo)8(μ4-OMeO)2(μ2-OMeO)24Clx(OMeO)12-x] (x = 2.3, MeO: methoxide) (I) by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The characterised {U13} poly-oxo cluster complex (I) possesses a single cubic uranium polyhedron at the centre of the cluster core. To be best of our knowledge, this is the very first example of a poly-oxo f-element complex that maintains a single unit of cubic polyhedron in the structure. The cubic polyhedron in (I) is well comparable with those in bulk UO2 in shape. The U-O bonds in the cubic polyhedron of (I) are, however, significantly shorter than those not only in bulk UO2 but also in another cluster analogue of the {U38} cluster. This shortening of UO bonds, together with BVS calculations and the overall negative charge (2-) of (I), suggests that the central uranium atom in (I), that forms the single cubic polyhedron, is presumably oxidised to the pentavalent state (U(V)) from the original tetravalent state (U(IV)). Hence, (I) is a rare example possessing a single cubic coordination polyhedron of U(V). The {U13} cluster (I) is also a new member of the poly-oxo polymer/cluster family of f-elements, contributing to further development of the polymer/cluster chemistry of f-elements.