Electrochemistry of dinuclear, thiolato-bridged transition-metal compounds. Part 2. Reductive electrochemistry of metal–metal bonded complexes [(η5-C5H5)(CO)2Mo(µ-SMe)W(CO)4L][L = CO or P(OMe)3]

Abstract

The compounds [(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CO)₂[graphics omitted](CO)₄L](1)(L = CO) and (2)[L = P(OMe)₃] have been studied by electrochemical methods (cyclic voltammetry, controlled-potential electrolysis, and coulometry) in propylene carbonate. The substitution of P(OMe)₃ for CO at the tungsten centre is shown to have various effects on the electrochemical behaviour. Both (1) and (2) are reduced according to an e.c.-disp. process (second electron transfer is homogeneous) which differs depending on the nature of L. The results reported are consistent with the presence of an acceptor–donor metal–metal bond in both compounds.