Synthesis and structure of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of uranyl dichloride

Treatment of UO2Cl2(thf)3 in THF with two equivalents of 1,3-dimesitylimidazole-2-ylidene (IMes) or 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dichloroimidazole-2-ylidene (IMesCl2) yields novel monomeric uranyl N-heterocyclic carbene complexes, representing the first examples of actinyl carbon bonds.