Thorium, hydride formation

Based on detailed mechanistic experiments, quantum yields of secondary product distribution, labelling studies, matrix photochemistry and added reagents, a mechanism involving a photoinduced, concerted -elimination was proposed. Thus, in the primary photochemical event -hydride elimination reaction occurs with formation of a quite reactive thorium hydride and olefin ... 

The conversion of CO + H2 (syn-gas) to hydrocarbons and oxygenates (Fischer-Tropsch chemistry)119 is of considerable industrial importance and recently the activation and fixation of carbon monoxide in homogeneous systems has been an active area for research.120,121 The early transition elements and the early actinide elements, in particular zirconium124 and thorium,125 126 supported by two pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands have provided a rich chemistry in the non-catalytic activation of CO. Reactions of alkyl and hydride ligands attached to the Cp2M centers with CO lead to formation of reactive tf2-acyl or -formyl compounds.125,126 These may be viewed in terms of the resonance forms (1) and (2) shown below. 

It has recently been reported83 that di-n-cyclooctatetraene complexes of uranium, thorium, and plutonium can be prepared by the direct reaction of the finely divided metals with cyclooctatetraene. The finely divided metals were prepared by a procedure described by Seaborg and Katz.84 Several cycles of formation and descomposition of the hydride gave a finely divided reactive metal. However, treatment of the pyrophoric uranium with cyclopentadiene under the same conditions used to form uranocene failed to produce any detectable amounts of the known compounds U(CsH5)3 or U(C5H5)4. 

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