Synthesis, structure and reactivity of trans-UO22+ complexes of OH-containing ligands

trans-Dioxouranium dinuclear complexes of a few OH-containing ligands posse ssing N-, O-binding sites were synthesized and characterised. Seven of thes e were also structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All these complexes exhibit symmetric U2O2 core structures in addition to having a seven-co-ordinated environment about each uranium centre. Even whe n the ligand possessed more than one CH2OH group, only one such group was f ound to be involved both in chelation as well as in bridging. These complex es exhibited facile transmetallation reactions with vanadium and molybdenum precursors. Though their core structures are alike, the complexes differ i n their lattice arrangement by exhibiting novel types of structures such as channel, herringbone and corrugated sheets owing to the presence of a numb er of extended weak interactions.