title: Preference for nitrogen versus oxygen donor coordination in uranyl- and neptunyl(VI) complexes.
abstract: The first actinyl phosphinimine complexes have been synthesized and, in the case of uranium, exhibit strong U-N interactions. Competition reactions clearly demonstrate a surprising preference for R3P=NH ligands over R3P=O in the system [AnO2Cl2(R3PX)2] (An = U(VI), Np(VI); R = Ph, Cy; X = O, NH). Spectroscopic evidence for N-donor coordination to [NpO2]2+ in solution indicates chemical similarities to the [UO2]2+ moiety.
authors.affiliation: Nexia Solutions, Sellafield, Seascale, Cumbria CA20 1PG, UK. mark.sarsfield@nexiasolutions.com
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sarsfield
authors.forename: Iain
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: Stephanie M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cornet
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Helliwell