Cationic metal nitrosyl complexes. Part 5. Synthesis of dinitrosylmolybdenum compounds

Abstract

The reaction of [Mo(NO)₂L₂Cl₂][L = MeCN, PhCN, CH₂CHCN, pyridine (py), or PPh₃; L₂= 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)] in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (dme) affords monocationic [Mo(NO)₂L₂Cl(dme)]⁺ and dicationic [Mo(NO)₂L₂(dme)₂]²⁺ species. The mechanism of chloride abstraction has been investigated by i.r., n.m.r., and u.v.–visible spectroscopy, conductimetry, and potentiometry. The dme solvates, when treated with nitries or bipy, yield a series of cationic dinitrosylmolybdenum complexes. Some of the dicationic complexes catalyse the polymerisation of norbornadiene. The characterization of all new complexes is described.