The
reaction of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] with 1 equiv of Cy7Si7O9(OH)3 in THF affords [U(OSiMe3)3(Cy7Si7O12)]
(1) as orange plates in 24% isolated yield. Its X-ray
crystal structure reveals three silylated Oyl ligands,
confirming the unprecedented conversion of the uranyl ion to a U(VI)
silyloxide. We propose that the formation of 1 proceeds
through a transient uranyl silsesquioxide intermediate, [{Cy7Si7O11(OH)}UO2], which undergoes
rapid oxo silylation by HN(SiMe3)2, followed
by silyloxy ligand scrambling, to form 1 and the U(VI)
bis(silsesquioxane) complex, [U(Cy7Si7O12)2] (3), among
other products. The formation of 3 was confirmed by its
independent synthesis and comparison of its 29Si{1H} NMR spectrum with that of the in situ reaction
mixture. In contrast to the reaction in THF, the reaction of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] with Cy7Si7O9(OH)3 in
hexanes, followed by recrystallization from Et2O/MeCN,
results in the formation of the uranyl cluster, [(UO2)3(Cy7Si7O12)2(Et2O)(MeCN)2] (2), as yellow rods in
42% isolated yield. Complex 2 features two Oyl···U dative interactions, but in contrast to 1, none of its three uranyl fragments are silylated. Overall,
the conversion of [UO2(N(SiMe3)2)2(THF)2] to 1 and 3 is
likely promoted by the strong electron donor ability of the silsesquioxane
ligand and suggests that the actinide coordination chemistry of mineral
surface mimics, such as silsesquioxane, is a fruitful arena for the
discovery of new reactivity.