Thin films by metal organic deposition of Fe–Mo–S molecular clusters: synthesis and crystal structure of [Cp2MoFe2(μ3-S)2(CO)6]

Abstract

The new cluster [Cp₂MoFe₂(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₆] (1) was obtained by the reaction of [Fe₂(μ₂-η²-S₂)(CO)₆] with [Cp₂MoH₂]. Its “double-star” shape was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It possesses a pseudo mirror plane passing through the Mo atom and the middle of the Fe–Fe bond. This cluster and the known tetranuclear cluster [Cp₂Mo₂Fe₂(μ₃-S)₂(CO)₈] (2) have been used as precursors for the formation of thin films, using the Metal Organic Deposition (MOD) process on silicon or borosilicate glass substrates. After thermal treatment of the films, the mixed-metal oxide phase Fe₂Mo_xO_z (3 < x < 4) was in both cases the major crystalline component (XRD) in the deposit. The elemental composition and morphology of the film materials were obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively.