Reductive disproportionation of carbon dioxide to carbonate and squarate products using a mixed-sandwich U( iii ) complex

The mixed-sandwich U(III) complexes [U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr(3)-1,4}2)(eta-CpR)(THF)] (R=Me5, Me4H) react with CO2 to give free CO and the U(IV) carbonate products [U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr(3)-1,4}2)(eta-CpR)]2(micro-eta1:eta2-CO3)]; the latter has been structurally characterised for R=Me4H; a 25% molar excess of the U(III) reductant gives a mixture of the carbonate and squarate [U(eta-C8H6{SiiPr(3)-1,4}2)(eta-C5Me4H)]2(micro-eta2:eta2-C4O4) products-the first synthesis of an oxocarbon from a CO2 carbon source.