Sylvie Le Stang, Françoise Conan, Jean Sala Pala, Yves Le Mest, Maria-Teresa Garland, Ricardo Baggio, Eric Faulques, Annie Leblanc, Philippe Molinié and Loïc Toupet
The reaction of tungsten(V) complexes [W(S2CNR2)4]I (R = Me or Et) with Li(TCNQ) in a dimethylformamide–water mixture at room temperature afforded the new derivatives [W(S2CNR2)4][TCNQ] 1a and 1b (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane). These compounds reacted further with TCNQ in acetonitrile to produce [W(S2CNR2)4][TCNQ]2 in which the TCNQ moieties are in a mixed-valence state. The physical properties of these new derivatives in solution and in the solid state are presented. The structures of 1a and of its molybdenum analogue [Mo(S2CNR2)4][TCNQ]·MeCN 2a have been studied by X-ray diffraction analyses: in 1a the TCNQ moieties form alternating stacks along the c axis according to a quite unusual bond–bond overlap; in 2a the TCNQ˙– moieties are dimerized and exhibit the usual slipped conformation.