Adam Brookfield

An iron metalloborane complex [{(iPrDPBPh)Fe}2(μ-1,2-N2)] (A) has been demonstrated to be an efficient pre-catalyst for hydroboration of ketones, cyclic esters and CO2 with mild conditions. Mechanistic insights into the hydroboration of cyclohexylphenyl ketone via initial rate kinetics, kinetic isotope studies reveal an unprecedented iron-mediated ligand-to-ligand hydride transfer (LLHT) process is in operation with B–H bond breaking being be rate determining, indicating the importance of mechanistic studies on well-known transformations. Isolation of the first iron(I)-benzophenone ketyl radical with a unique S = 1 antiferromagnetic ground state has been achieved.

Lanthanide (Ln) silylamide chemistry is well-developed, but the corresponding silylphosphide chemistry is immature; there are only ten structurally characterized examples of Ln(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphide complexes to date, and no reported derivatives with bulkier R-groups. Here we report the synthesis of the first f-block bis(triisopropylsilyl)phosphide complexes, [Ln{P(SiiPr3)2}2(THF)x] (1-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu, x = 3; Ln = Yb, x = 2), by the respective salt metathesis reactions of parent [LnI2(THF)2] with 2 eq. of [Na{P(SiiPr3)2}]n in toluene. Complexes 1-Ln were characterized by a combination of NMR, EPR, ATR-IR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry and single crystal X-ray diffraction. These data contrast with those obtained for related Ln(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)phosphide complexes due to the bulkier ligands in 1-Ln, and also with Ln(II) bis(triisopropylsilyl)amide complexes due to a combination of longer Ln–P vs. Ln–N bonds and the softer nature of P- vs. N-donor ligands.

Whilst lanthanide (Ln) silylamide chemistry is mature, the corresponding silylphosphide chemistry is underdeveloped, with [Sm{P(SiMe3)2}{μ-P(SiMe3)2}3Sm(THF)3] being the sole example of a structurally authenticated Ln(II) silylphosphide complex. Here we expand Ln(II) {P(SiMe3)2} chemistry through the synthesis and characterization of nine novel complexes. The dinuclear ‘ate’ salt-occluded complexes [{Ln[P(SiMe3)2]3(THF)}2(μ-I)K3(THF)] (1-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu) and polymeric ‘ate’ complex [KYb{P(SiMe3)2}3{μ-K[P(SiMe3)2]}2] (2-Yb) were prepared by the respective salt metathesis reactions of parent [LnI2(THF)2] (Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) with 2 or 3 eq. of K{P(SiMe3)2} in diethyl ether. The separate treatment of these complexes with either pyridine or 18-crown-6 led to the formation of the mononuclear solvated adducts, trans-[Ln{P(SiMe3)2}2(py)4] (3-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Ln{P(SiMe3)2}2(18-crown-6)] (4-Ln; Ln = Sm, Eu, Yb), with concomitant loss of K{P(SiMe3)2}. The complexes were characterized by a combination of NMR, EPR, ATR-IR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopies, elemental analysis, SQUID magnetometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. We find that these complexes exhibit electronic structures that contrast with those of related Ln(II) bis(trimethylsilyl)amide complexes due to differences in ligand donor atom hardness and ligand steric requirements from Ln–P bonds being longer than Ln–N bonds.

Managing certain by-products of the nuclear fuel cycle, such as the radioactive isotopes of caesium: ¹³⁴Cs, ¹³⁵Cs and ¹³⁷Cs is challenging due to their environmental mobility and radioactivity. While a great many materials can isolate Cs+ ions from neutral or basic aqueous solutions via ion exchange, few of these, with the exception of ammonium phosphomolybdate (AMP), function effectively in acidic media. The use of AMP, and its porous composite in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for management of Cs radioisotopes in various nuclear wastes have been known for decades and are well studied, yet the effects of radiation on the physiochemical properties of such composites have only received limited attention to date. In a previous publication, we demonstrated that a 100 kGy gamma irradiation dose has negligible effect on the ion exchange performance of AMP and AMP–PAN with respect to capacity or kinetics under the Cs+ concentrations and acidity found in spent nuclear fuel (SNF) recycling. As a continuation of this prior study, in this publication we explore the effects of gamma irradiation on the physiochemical properties of AMP and AMP–PAN using a range of characterisation methods. The effects of the same gamma dose on the oxidation state of Mo in AMP and AMP–PAN, the thermal degradation of both AMP and AMP–PAN, combined with a first study into the high-temperature degradation AMP, are reported. The implications of irradiation, its possible mechanism, the conditions present in SNF recycling, and for the end-of-life disposal or recycling of these materials are also discussed.