Preparation and Characterization of Uranium–Iron Triple-Bonded UFe(CO)3− and OUFe(CO)3− Complexes

We report the preparation of UFe(CO)3− and OUFe(CO)3− complexes using a laser-vaporization supersonic ion source in the gas phase. These compounds were mass-selected and characterized by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and state-of-the-art quantum chemical studies. There are unprecedented triple bonds between U 6d/5f and Fe 3d orbitals, featuring one covalent σ bond and two Fe-to-U dative π bonds in both complexes. The uranium and iron elements are found to exist in unique formal U(I or III) and Fe(−II) oxidation states, respectively. These findings suggest that there may exist a whole family of stable df–d multiple-bonded f-element-transition-metal compounds that have not been fully recognized to date.