Preparation of trichlorotris(tetrahydrofuran)molybdenum(III) and its use in the preparation of complexes of molybdenum-(III) and -(0)

Abstract

The synthesis of trichlorotris(tetrahydrofuran)molybdenum(III) is described. This complex reacts with tertiary phosphines (PR₃, R = alkyl or aryl) to yield [MoCl₃(PR₃)₃], [MoCl₃(thf)(PR₃)₂], or [MoCl₃(thf)₂(PR₃)](thf = tetrahydrofuran) depending on the size of R. Some binuclear complexes have also been isolated. The complex [MoCl₃(thf)₃] reacts with various phosphines and magnesium or sodium amalgam in the presence of nitrogen to form molybdenum(0) complexes including [Mo(N₂)₂(PMe₂Ph)₄], [Mo(N₂)₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂], [Mo(PH₂Ph)₆], and [Mo(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₃].