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].