Ready, reversible conversion of a quadruply metal–metal bonded dinuclear complex into a mononuclear complex

Abstract

The quadruply metal–metal bonded molybdenum(II) complex [Mo₂L₂](1)(L = C₂₂H₂₂N₄^2–) reacts with tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) to afford first the biradical compound [(1)⁺·(TCNE)^–·] and then, presumably via reaction with traces of water, the oxo-molybdenum(v) derivative [MoOL][C₃(CN)₅](2), the structure of which has been determined by X-ray diffraction [Mo–O 1.670(3)Å]; reduction of (2) with Na/Hg gives the dinuclear multiply metal–metal bonded radical anion (1)^–·.