Arene-molybdenum chemistry: olefin and hydride derivatives

Abstract

Reduction using sodium amalgam of the complex [Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe)(η-C₃H₅)]⁺(dmpe = Me₂PCH₂CH₂PMe₂) in the presence of the olefins L = ethylene, propene, or cyclopentene gives the neutral η²-olefin compounds [Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe)L]. The η-ethylene compound readily protonates forming the hydrido-cation [Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe)(η-C₂H₄)H]⁺. Treatment of this with the tertiary phosphines PR₃, where R₃= Me₃ or Me₂Ph, gives the η-ethylbenzene compounds [Mo(η)-C₆H₅Et)(dmpe)(PR₃)H]PF₆. The new compounds trans-[Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe) H₂], [{Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmPe)}₂(µ-dmpe)], [(Mo(η-C₆H₆)(dmpe)H}₂(µ-dmpe)][PF₆]₂, [Mo(η-C₆H₆)-(η-C₃H₅)(PMe₃)Cl], [Mo(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₃], and [Mo(η-C₆H₆)(PMe₃)₃H]PF₆ are also described.