A seven-co-ordinate actinoid complex: crystal and molecular structure of tetrachlorotris(trimethylamine)thorium(IV)

Abstract

The title compound [ThCl₄(NMe₃)₃] has been prepared by the reaction of anhydrous thorium(IV) chloride with trimethylamine. Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, Z= 4, with a= 15.336(8), b= 8.320(9), c= 15.263(11)Å, and β= 101.0(1)°. 1 557 Above-background reflections were collected on a diffractometer and the structure refined to R 0.085. The structure comprises discrete molecules of [ThCl₄(NMe₃)₃]. The metal atom is seven-co-ordinate in a capped-octahedral environment with one chlorine in the capping position [Th–Cl 2.678(10)Å], three nitrogens occupying the capped face [Th–N 2.79(3), 2.83(3), and 2.66(4)Å], and three chlorines the uncapped face [Th–Cl 2.642(9), 2.637(12), and 2.685(11)Å].