Catalytic C–N, C–O, and C–S Bond Formation Promoted by Organoactinide Complexes

Abstract

Throughout this last decade, we have witnessed impressively how the chemistry of electrophilic d⁰/fⁿ actinides has been prospering either in their new synthetic approaches reaching very interesting compounds or in their use in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions leading to high levels of complexity. The unique rich and complex features of organoactinides prompted the development of this field toward catalysis in demanding chemical transformations. In this review, we present a brief and selective survey of the recent developments in homogenous catalysis of organoactinide complexes, especially toward the formation of new C–N, C–O, and C–S bonds. We start by presenting the synthesis and characterization of the corresponding organoactinide complexes, followed by the homogeneous catalytic chemical transformations that include the hydroamination of terminal alkynes, the polymerization of ε-caprolactone and L-lactide, the reduction of azides and hydrazines by high-valent organouranium complexes, the hydrothiolation of terminal alkynes, and the catalytic Tishchenko reaction. For each reaction, the scope and the thermodynamic, kinetic, and mechanistic aspects are presented.