Angela Shiau Rose Hills
Synthesis and Reactivity of Actinide-Guanidinate Complexes
Organometallic transition metal chemistry is an important cornerstone of chemical research, as studies have led to the development of important catalysts and deeper understanding in the bonding of elements in the entire periodic table. Analogous chemistry with the actinide elements, however, has been relatively unexplored in comparison. Contributing to this lack of experimental work, this project aims to deepen the understanding of guanidinate-supported actinide complexes. Recently, I have synthesized and structurally characterized thorium(IV) and uranium (IV) guanidinate platforms. From these platforms, I accessed the first uranium (III) guanidinate complex. Interesting for its potential as a single molecule magnet as well as its high reactivity towards small molecules, this compound will be studied extensively.