Relativistic small-core pseudopotential B3LYP and CCSD(T) calculations and frozen-core PW91-PW91 studies are reported for the series UF4X2 (X = H, F, Cl, CN, NC, NCO, OCN, NCS and SCN). The bonding in UF6 is analyzed and found to have some multiple-bond character, approaching at a theoretical limit a bond order of 1.5. In addition to these sigma and pi orbital interactions, the electrostatic attraction is important. Evidence for pi bonding in the other systems studied was also found. The triatomic pseudohalides as well as fluorine and chlorine are in this sense better ligands than cyanide. The -CN group is a sigma donor and pi acceptor, as uranium itself, and hence is unfit to bond to U(VI). The sigma-bonded UH6 is octahedral.