Expanding the Library of Uranyl Amide Derivatives: New Complexes Featuring the tert-Butyldimethylsilylamide Ligand.

New uranyl derivatives featuring the amide ligand, -N(SiHMe2) tBu, were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and absorption spectroscopies. Steric properties of these complexes were also quantified using the computational program Solid-G. The increased basicity of the free ligand -N(SiHMe2) tBu was demonstrated by direct comparison to -N(SiMe3)2, a popular supporting ligand for uranyl. Substitutional lability on a uranyl center was also demonstrated by exchange with the -N(SiMe3)2 ligand. The increased basicity of this ligand and diverse characterization handles discussed here will make these compounds useful synthons for future reactivity.