Convenient Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of (C5Me5)U(CH2C6H5)3:  A Simple Strategy for the Preparation of Monopentamethylcyclopentadienyl Uranium(IV) Complexes

A high-yield one-pot synthesis of (C 5 Me 5 )U(CH 2 C 6 H 5 ) 3 has been developed and applied to the synthesis of a new organouranium complex possessing a (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand framework, (C 5 Me 5 )(C 5 H 5 ) 2 U(CH 2 C 6 H 5 ). Both complexes have been structurally characterized. We also report herein an improved and safer synthesis for the popular uranium starting material UCl 4 .