Independent publications

Journal publications

2024

14. Lithium, Sodium and Potassium Enolates Aggregates and Monomers: Syntheses and Structures. N. Davison, J. M. Hemingway*, P. G. Waddell and E. Lu*. Dalton Trans. 2023, Accepted. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/dt/d4dt00211c

2023

13. Mechanochemical reactions between Group-1 metals and transitional metal oxides: reduction and Li-ion doping. N. Davison, I. Arce-Garcia, J. A.  Gould*, J. A. Dawson* and E. Lu*. Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 2023, 26, e202300344. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejic.202300344 

12. Reduction of K+ or Li+ in a Heterobimetallic Electride K+[LiN(SiMe3)2]e-. N. Davison, P. G. Waddell and E. Lu*. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 17007-17012. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/jacs.3c06066.

11. The Quest for Organo-Alkali Metal Monomers: Unscrambling the Structure-Reactivity Relationship. N. Davison*, E. Lu*. Dalton Trans. 2023, 52, 8172-8192. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/dt/d3dt00980g (Invited Perspective article)

10. Monomeric Lithium and Sodium Silylbenzyl Complexes: Syntheses, Structures, and C=O bond Olefination. J. Barker, N. Davison, P. G. Waddell, E. Lu*. Chem. Commun. 2023, 59, 8083-8086. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/cc/d3cc01376f.

9. Li vs Na: Distinct Reaction Patterns of Organo-Lithium and -Sodium Monomeric Complexes, and Ligand-Catalyzed Ketone/Aldehyde Methylenation. N. Davison, C. L. McMullin*, L. Zhang, S. -X. Hu, P. G. Waddell, C. Wills, C. Dixon, E. Lu*. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 6562-6576. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/jacs.3c01033  

8. A room-temperature stable electride and its reactivity: reductive benzene/pyridine couplings and solvent-free Birch reductions. N. Davison, J. A. Quirk, F. Tuna*, D. Collison, C. L. McMullin*, H. Michaels, G. H. Morritt, P. G. Waddell, J. A. Gould, M. Freitag, J. A. Dawson*, E. Lu*. Chem 2023, 9, 576-591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2022.11.006 (Front cover of the 2023 March issue).

2022

7. Elucidating Solution-State Coordination Modes of Multidentate Neutral Amine Ligands with Group-1 Metal Cations: Variable-Temperature NMR  Studies. N. Davison, J. A. Quirk, C. Wills*, C. Dixon, P. G. Waddell, J. A. Dawson*, E. Lu*. Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 15204-15212. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02457

6. Electronic Structures and Unusual Chemical Bonding in Actinyl Peroxide Dimers [An2O6]2+ and [(An2O6)(12-crown-4 ether)2]2+ (An = U, Np, and  Pu). S. -X. Hu*, X. -X. You, W. -L. Zou, E. Lu, X. Gao, P. Zhang. Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 15589-15599. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.2c02399

5. A monomeric (trimethylsilyl)methyl lithium complex: synthesis, structure, decomposition and preliminary reactivity studies. N. Davison, P. G.  Waddell, C. Dixon, C. Wills, T. J. Penfold*, E. Lu*. Dalton Trans. 2022, 51, 10707. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1DT03532K (Invited for the themed issue 'New Talent: Europe') (Outside back cover).

4. Versatile Coordination Modes of Multidentate Neutral Amine Ligands with Group 1 Metal Cations. N. Davison, K. Zhou, P. G. Waddell, C. Wills, C. Dixon, S. -X. Hu*, E. Lu*. Inorg. Chem. 2022, 61, 3674. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c03786

2021

3. Rare-earth mediated dihydrogen activation and catalytic hydrogenation. Y. -W. Guan, E. Lu*, X. Xu*. J. Rare Earths 2021, 39, 1017. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jre.2020.12.019 (Review article) (Front cover).

2. A monomeric methyllithium complex: synthesis and structure. N. Davison, E. Falbo, P. G. Waddell, T. J. Penfold, E. Lu*. Chem. Commun. 2021, 57, 6205. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1CC01420J

2020

1. Decisive Role of 5f-Orbital Covalence in the Structure and Stability of Pentavalent Transuranic Oxo [M6O8] Clusters. S. -X. Hu*, P. Zhang, E. Lu*, P. Zhang. Inorg. Chem.2020, 59, 18068. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.inorgchem.0c02539

Book chapters

1. 3.09 - Actinide Metal Carbene Complexes: Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity. E. Lu. Comprehensive Organometallic Chemistry IV. Volume 3, 2022, Pages 312-346. G. Parkin, K. Meyer and D. O'Hare Eds. Elsevier B. V. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128202067000159?via%3Dihub

Publications prior independence

Journal publications:

1. A Series of Rare-Earth Mesoionic Carbene Complexes. J. A. Seed, L. Vondung, F. Barton, A. J. Wooles, E. Lu, M. Gregson, R. W. Adams, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Eur. J. 2022, asap. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.202200761

2. Carbene Complexes of Neptunium. C. A. P. Goodwin, A. J. Wooles, J. Murillo, E. Lu, J. T. Boronski, B. L. Scott, A. J. Gaunt*, S. T. Liddle*. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 9764. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c02152

3. Mesoionic Carbene Complexes of Uranium(IV) and Thorium(IV). J. A. Seed, L. Vondung, R. W. Adams, A. J. Wooles, E. Lu, S. T. Liddle*. Organometallics 2022, 41, 1353. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.organomet.2c00120

4. Evidence for ligand- and solvent-induced disproportionation of uranium(IV). J. Du, I. Douair, E. Lu, J. A. Seed, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, L. Maron*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Commun. 2021, 12, 4832. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-25151-z

5. Anomalous magnetism of uranium(IV)-oxo and -imido complexes reveals unusual doubly degenerate electronic ground states. J. A. Seed, L. Birnoschi, E. Lu, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, N. F. Chilton*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem 2021, 7, 1666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chempr.2021.05.001

6. Terminal uranium(V)-nitride hydrogenations involving direct addition or Frustrated Lewis Pair mechanisms. L. Chatelain, E. Louyriac, I. Douair, E. Lu, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, B. M. Gardner, L. Maron*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Commun. 2020, 11, 337. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-14221-y

7. Prediction of high bond-order metal–metal multiple-bonds in heterobimetallic 3d–4f/5f complexes [TM–M{N(o-[NCH2P(CH3)2]C6H4)3}] (TM = Cr, Mn, Fe; M = U, Np, Pu, and Nd). S. -X. Hu*, E. Lu, S. T. Liddle. Dalton Trans. 2019, 48, 12867. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9DT03086G

8. Photolytic and Reductive Activations of 2-Arsaethynolate in a Uranium-Triamidoamine Complex: Decarbonylative Arsenic-Group Transfer Reactions and Trapping of a Highly Bent and Reduced Form. R. Magnall, G. Balázs, E. Lu, M. Kern, J. van Slageren, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, M. Scheer*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Eur. J. 2019, 25, 14246. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201903973

9. Back-bonding between an electron-poor, high-oxidation-state metal and poor pi-acceptor ligand in a uranium(v)-dinitrogen complex. E. Lu, B. E. Atkinson, A. J. Wooles, J. T. Boronski, L. R. Doyle, F. Tuna, J. D. Cryer, P. J. Cobb, I. J. Vitorica-Yrezabal, G. F. S. Whitehead, N. Kaltsoyannis*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Chem. 2019, 11, 806. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-019-0306-x

10. Trapping of a Highly Bent and Reduced Form of 2-Phosphaethynolate in a Mixed-Valence Diuranium-Triamidoamine Complex. R. Magnall, G. Balázs, E. Lu, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, M. Scheer*, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 10215. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201904676

11. Thorium- and uranium-azide reductions: a transient dithorium-nitride versus isolable diuranium-nitrides. J. Du, D. M. King, L. Chatelain, E. Lu, F. Tuna, E. J. L. McInnes, A. J. Wooles, L. Maron*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Sci. 2019, 10, 3738. https://doi.org/10.1039/C8SC05473H

12. Emergence of the structure-directing role of f-orbital overlap-driven covalency. E. Lu, S. Sajjad, V. E. J. Berryman, A. J. Wooles, N. Kaltsoyannis*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Commun. 2019, 10, 634. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08553-y

13. A Very Short Uranium(IV)-Rhodium(I) Bond with Net Double-Dative Bonding Character. E. Lu, A. J. Wooles, M. Gregson, P. J. Cobb, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 6587. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201803493

14. Silyl-Phosphino-Carbene Complexes of Uranium(IV). E. Lu, J. T. Boronski, M. Gregson, A. J. Wooles, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018, 57, 5506. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201802080

15. Scandium Terminal Imido Chemistry. E. Lu, J. -X. Chu, Y. -F. Chen*. Acc. Chem. Res. 2018, 51, 557. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00605

16. Evidence for single metal two electron oxidative addition and reductive elimination at uranium. B. M. Gardner, C. E. Kefalidis, E. Lu, D. Patel, E. J. L. McInnes, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, L. Maron*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Commun. 2017, 8, 1898. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-01363-0

17. Synthesis and Reactivity of a Scandium Terminal Hydride: H-2 Activation by a Scandium Terminal Imido Complex. X. -H. Han, L. Xiang, C. A. Lamsfus, W. -Q. Mao, E. Lu, L. Maron*, X. -B. Leng, Y. -F. Chen*. Chem. Eur. J. 2017, 23, 14728. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201703905

18. The inverse-trans-influence in tetravalent lanthanide and actinide bis(carbene) complexes. M. Gregson, E. Lu, D. P. Mills, F. Tuna, E. J. L. McInnes, C. Hennig, A. C. Scheinost, J. McMaster, W. Lewis, A. J. Blake, A. Kerridge*, S. T. Liddle*. Nature Commun. 2017, 8, 14137. https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms14137

19. Uranium Metalla-Allenes with Carbene Imido R2C=U-IV=NR' Units (R = Ph2PNSiMe3; R' = CPh3): Alkali-Metal-Mediated Push-Pull Effects with an Amido Auxiliary. E. Lu, F. Tuna, W. Lewis, N. Kaltsoyannis*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 11554. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201602603

20. Uranium-Carbene-Imido Metalla-Allenes: Ancillary-Ligand-Controlled cis-/trans-Isomerisation and Assessment of trans Influence in the R2C=U-IV=NR' Unit (R=Ph2PNSiMe3; R'=CPh3). E. Lu, O. J. Cooper, F. Tuna, A. J. Wooles, N. Kaltsoyannis*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 11559. https://doi.org/10.1002/chem.201602690

21. Emergence of comparable covalency in isostructural cerium(IV)- and uranium(IV)-carbon multiple bonds. M. Gregson, E. Lu, F. Tuna, E. J. L. McInnes, C. Hennig, A. C. Scheinost, J. McMaster, W. Lewis, A. J. Blake, A. Kerridge*, S. T. Liddle*. Chem. Sci. 2016, 7, 3286. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6SC00278A

22. Uranium-mediated oxidative addition and reductive elimination. E. Lu, S. T. Liddle*. Dalton Trans. 2015, 44, 12924. (Perspective article). https://doi.org/10.1039/C5DT00608B

23. The Ketimide Ligand is Not Just an Inert Spectator: Heteroallene Insertion Reactivity of an Actinide-Ketimide Linkage in a Thorium Carbene Amide Ketimide Complex. E. Lu, W. Lewis, A. J. Blake, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 9356. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201404898

24. Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of a Uranium(VI) Carbene Imido Oxo Complex. E. Lu, O. J. Cooper, J. McMaster, F. Tuna, E. J. L. McInnes, W. Lewis, A. J. Blake, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 6696. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201403892

25. A Cerium(IV)-Carbon Multiple Bond. M. Gregson, E. Lu, J. McMaster, W. Lewis, A. J. Blake, S. T. Liddle*. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 13016. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201306984

26. 1-Methyl Boratabenzene Yttrium Alkyl: A Highly Active Catalyst for Dehydrocoupling of Me2NH.BH3. E. Lu, Y. -Y. Yuan, Y. -F. Chen*, W. Xia. ACS Catal. 2013, 3, 521. https://doi.org/10.1021/cs4000206

27. Reversible Addition of the Si-H Bond of Phenylsilane to the Sc=N Bond of a Scandium Terminal Imido Complex. J. -X. Chu, E. Lu, Y. -F. Chen*, X. -B. Leng. Organometallics 2013, 32, 1137. https://doi.org/10.1021/om3010349

28. C-P or C-H Bond Cleavage of Phosphine Oxides Mediated by an Yttrium Hydride. E. Lu, Y. -F. Chen*, J. -L. Zhou, X. -B. Leng. Organometallics 2012, 31, 4574. https://doi.org/10.1021/om300369f

29. Reactivity of scandium terminal imido complexes towards metal halides. E. Lu, Q. -H. Zhou, Y. -X. Li, J. -X. Chu, Y. -F. Chen*, X. -B. Leng, J. Sun. Chem. Commun. 2012, 48, 3403. https://doi.org/10.1039/C2CC30220A

30. Yttrium Anilido Hydride: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity. E. Lu, Y. -F. Chen*, X. -B. Leng. Oragnometallics 2011, 30, 5433. https://doi.org/10.1021/om200651c

31. Reactivity of a Scandium Terminal Imido Complex Towards Unsaturated Substrates. J. -X. Chu, E. Lu, Z. -X. Liu, Y. -F. Chen*, X. -B. Leng, H. -B. Song. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 7677. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201102267

32. Scandium terminal imido complex induced C-H bond selenation and formation of an Sc-Se bond. E. Lu, J. -X. Chu, Y. -F. Chen*, M. V. Borzov, G. -Y. Li. Chem. Commun. 2011, 47, 743. https://doi.org/10.1039/C0CC03212C

33. Monoalkyl and monoanilide yttrium complexes containing tridentate pyridyl-1-azaallyl dianionic ligands. E. Lu, W. Gan, Y. -F. Chen*. Dalton Trans. 2011, 40, 2366. https://doi.org/10.1039/C0DT01539C (Invited article for the themed issue 'New Talent: Asia')

34. A scandium terminal imido complex: synthesis, structure and DFT studies. E. Lu, Y. -X. Li, Y. -F. Chen*. Chem. Commun. 2010, 46, 4469. https://doi.org/10.1039/C002870C (Front cover).

35. Monoalkyllanthanide Complexes with New beta-Diketiminato Derivative Dianionic Ligands. E. Lu, W. Gan, Y. -F. Chen*. Organometallics 2009, 28, 2318. https://doi.org/10.1021/om900040r

Book chapters:

1. Chapter 7. Group 7 Metal-Metal Bonds. F. Poineau, A. P. Sattelberger, E. Lu, S. T. Liddle. Molecular Metal-Metal Bonds: Compounds, Synthesis, Properties. Editor Stephen T. Liddle. 2015 Wiley0VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9783527673353.ch7

2. Chapter 10. Group 10 Metal-Metal Bonds. E. Lu, S. T. Liddle. Molecular Metal-Metal Bonds: Compounds, Synthesis, Properties. Editor Stephen T. Liddle. 2015 Wiley0VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9783527673353.ch10