Crystal structure of a trifluoromethyl benzoato quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum complex

Abstract

The study of quadruple bonds between transition metals, in particular those of dimolybdenum, has revealed much about the two-electron bond. The solid-state structure of the quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum(II) complex tetrakis[μ-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzoato-κ2O:O′]bis[(tetrahydrofuran-κO)molybdenum(II)] 0.762-pentane 0.238-tetrahydrofuran solvate, [Mo2(p-O2CC6H4CF3)4·2THF]·0.762C5H12·0.238C4H8O or [Mo2(C8H4F3O2)4(C4H8O)2]·0.762C5H12·0.238C4H8O is reported. The complex crystallizes within a triclinic cell and low symmetry (P\overline{1}) results from the intercalated pentane/THF solvent molecules. The paddlewheel structure at 100 K has inversion symmetry and comprises four bridging carboxylate ligands encases the Mo2(II,II) core that is characterized by two axially coordinated THF molecules and an Mo—Mo distance of 2.1098 (7) Å.

Keywords

• crystal structure
• quadruple bond
• molybdenum
• delta bond