New chemistry of binuclear molybdenocene compounds: unexpected synthesis of the bis(fulvalene) derivative [Mo2(µ-η : η-C10H8)2H2]

Abstract

The reaction of [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂H₂]1 with dihydrogen gives [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂H₄] whose crystal structure has been determined. Treatment of 1 with ethylene at 10 atm gives [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂(C₂H₄)₂], whilst ethylene at 1 atm gives [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)₂H₂] whose crystal structure has been determined. Treatment of 1 with but-2-yne gives a mixture of [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂(MeCCMe)₂] and [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂(µ-MeCCMe)]; the latter is proposed to have a parallel-bridging alkyne group. Reaction of 1 with hex-3-yne gives [Mo₂(µ-η : η-C₁₀H₈)(η-C₅H₅)₂(EtCCEt)₂].