Highly efficient Mo IV3⋯SbIII cluster frustrated Lewis pair hydrogenation

Abstract

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) featuring Lewis acid–base synergistic action have been recognized as one of the most powerful bifunctional catalytic systems. Each Lewis component, however, is usually composed of a single atom and hence lacks a cooperative effect. In this work, cluster FLPs (CFLPs) comprised of a triangularly Mo–Mo bonded Mo^IV₃ Lewis acidic cluster component and a Lewis basic Sb^III partner in H[Sb^III₃Mo^IV₃Mo^VI₁₅O₅₅(OH)₂py₃] (1) have been developed. The more extensive cooperative actions both within Mo^IV₃ and between Mo^IV₃ and Sb^III account for the excellent catalytic performance of 1, providing a new way of thinking for the designed synthesis of highly efficient FLP catalysts.