Uranium complexes of multidentate N-donor ligands

This review focuses on uranium cation coordination complexes with multidentate nitrogen-containing ligands appearing in the literature from 2000 to mid-2005, with reports prior to 2000 included where pertinent. In addition to the uranyl cation (UO22+), special attention will be paid to tri and tetravalent uranium species, for which recent reports have provided new insights into actinide chemistry. The ligands discussed can be separated into five main categories: pyrrole, pyridine, amido, Schiff-base salicylidene-derived and other miscellaneous type ligands. Manipulation of the steric bulk and rigidity of these ligands is essential for exploring the reactivity and bonding behavior of uranium cations. Additionally, applications of such complexes, including small molecule activation, catalysis, actinide sensors and incorporation into liquid crystals will be discussed.