Differences in actinide metal–ligand orbital interactions: comparison of U(iv) and Pu(iv) β-ketoiminate N,O donor complexes

Syntheses and characterization of UCl(2)((Ar)acnac)(2), UI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2), and PuI(2)((Ar)acnac)(2) are reported ((Ar)acnac denotes a bis-phenyl β-ketoiminate ligand where Ar = 3,5-(t)Bu(2)C(6)H(3)). Structural analyses and computations show significant metal-ligand orbital interaction differences in U(IV) vs. Pu(IV) bonding.