Crystal structure of a methyl benzoate quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum complex

Abstract

Quadruple-bond dimolybdenum complexes provide invaluable insight into the two-electron bond, with structural chemistry providing a foundation for examination of bond properties. The synthesis and solid-state structure of the quadruple-bonded dimolybdenum(II) complex tetrakis(μ-4-methylbenzoato-κ2O:O′)bis[(tetrahydrofuran-κO)molybdenum(II)] tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [Mo2(C8H7O2)4(C4H8O)2]·2C4H8O, are presented. This complex crystallizes in a triclinic cell with low-symmetry space group P\overline{1}. The dimolybdenum paddlewheel structure comprises four methylbenzoate ligands and two axial THF ligands. The dimolybdenum bond distance of 2.1012 (4) Å is exemplary of this class of compounds.

Keywords

• crystal structure
• quadruple bond
• molybdenum
• delta bond