Dinitrogen activation by a penta-pyridyl molybdenum complex

Abstract

A new dinitrogen (N₂) molybdenum(0) complex supported exclusively by pyridine ligands was synthesized. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex elucidated the activated nature of the N₂ ligand, consistent with a low N–N IR stretching frequency. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses on this system confirmed a strong π-backdonation arising from the large p orbital character in molybdenum lone pairs. The protonation of the N₂ ligand using decamethyl chromocene (CrCp*₂) in the presence of lutidinium salt afforded 1.22 equivalents of ammonia (NH₃).