A Heterobimetallic Complex With an Unsupported Uranium(III)−Aluminum(I) Bond: (CpSiMe₃)₃U−AlCp* (Cp* = C₅Me₅)

A heterobimetallic complex with the first unsupported bond between an actinide and a group 13 element, (CpSiMe₃)₃U−AlCp* (Cp* = C₅Me₅) (1), was synthesized by reaction of (CpSiMe₃)₃U and ¹/₄(Cp*Al)₄ in toluene. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the U−Al bond exhibits some covalent character resulting from a Cp*Al→U charge-transfer.