Activation and reduction of diethyl ether by low valent uranium: formation of the trimetallic, mixed valence uranium oxo species [U(CpRR')(mu-I)2]3(mu3-O) (CpRR' = C5Me5, C5Me4H, C5H4SiMe3)

The reaction of UI3 and KCpRR' (CpRR' = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl or tetramethylcyclopentadienyl) in diethyl ether results in the two-electron reduction of the solvent to form trimetallic, mixed valence uranium oxo species.