Tert-butylbenzamidate diruthenium(II, III) compounds. Crystal structure of [Ru2(μ-HNOCC6H4-p-CMe3)4(OPPh3)2]BF4

The reaction between Ru₂Cl(μ-O₂CCH₃)₄ and molten p-tert-butylbenzamide led to the formation of Ru₂Cl(μ-HNOCC₆H₄-p-CMe₃)₄. The polymeric structure of this insoluble compound was broken with AgBF₄, in anhydrous thf, giving [Ru₂(μ-HNOCC₆ H₄-p-CMe₃)₄(thf)₂]BF₄. The reaction of this cationic complex with OPPh₃ gave [Ru₂(μ-HNOCC₆H₄-p-CMe₃)₄(OPPh₃)₂]BF₄. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and magnetic measurements and the crystal structure of [Ru₂(μ-HNOCC₆H₄-p-CMe₃)₄(OPPh₃)₂]BF₄ was determined by X-ray crystallography. The asymmetric unit is composed of halves of two different crystallographically independent centrosymmetric cations. Each ruthenium(II,III) dimer is bonded to four bridging p-tert-butylbenzamidate ligands and to two axial triphenylphosphine oxide molecules. The Ru---Ru distances in the two dimeric cations of the unit cell are 2.281(2) and 2.280(2) Å. The compound has a non-polar 2 : 2 arrangement of the tert-butylbenzamidate ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of Na5[Co(CO)3(P{(CH2)nC6H4-P-SO3}3)2], n = 1, 2, 3, and 6. Novel zwitterion

The electron donating water soluble phosphines, P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃Na}₃,n = 1, 2, 3 and 6, react rapidly with Co₂(CO)₈ under two phase reaction conditions to yield the disproportionation products, [Co(CO)₃(P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃Na₃}₂] [Co(CO)₄]. Selective precipitation yields the formally zwitterionic complex anions as the sodium salt, [Co(CO)₃(P{(CH₂)nC₆H₄-p-SO₃} ₃)₂]⁵⁻. The anions can be used as precursors to water soluble cobalt hydroformylation catalysts under two phase and supported aqueous phase conditions. The tendency to form alcohol products is low with these complexes. The behavior of the catalysts is consistent with an active species that remains water soluble during the reaction and is not leached into the nonaqueous phase.     

Substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands—10. Intramolecular steric interactions in [(η-C5H3(SiMe3)2)Mo(CO)2(L)I]

Reaction of C₅H₄(SiMe₃)₂ with Mo(CO)₆ yielded [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₃]₂, which on addition of iodine gave [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂Mo(CO)₃I]. Carbonyl displacement by a range of ligands: [L = P(OMe)₃, P(OPrⁱ)₃,P(O-o-tol)₃, PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂, PPh₃, P(m-tol)₃] gave the new complexes [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂ MO(CO)₂(L)I]. For all the trans isomer was the dominant, if not exclusive, isomer formed in the reaction. An NOE spectral analysis of [(η⁵-C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂)Mo(CO)₂(L)I] L = PMe₂Ph, P(OMe)₃] revealed that the L group resided on the sterically uncongested side of the cyclopentadienyl ligand and that the ligand did not access the congested side of the molecule. Quantification of this phenomenon [L = P(OMe)₃] was achieved by means of the vertex angle of overlap methodology. This methodology revealed a steric preference with the trans isomer (less congestion of CO than I with an SiMe₃ group) being the more stable isomer for L = P(OMe)₃.     

Spectroscopic cis-influences in octahedral tin(IV) meso-tetraphenylporphyrin complexes

Visible absorption and ¹H NMR spectra have been measured for a series of octahedral tin(IV) porphyrin complexes Sn(TPP)X₂, where TPP is mes-tetraphenylporphyrin and X is Cl, OH, OMe, OAc, NO₃, ClO₄, Br, I, NCS and OC₆H₄-p-Me. The tin-proton coupling constants to the β-pyrrole protons decrease from 19.2 Hz (X = ClO₄) to 9.9 Hz (X = OME), and for the oxygen-bound ligands, correlate well with the basicity of the ligands. The halides do not fit this relationship, perhaps because of π-bonding effects. The chemical shifts of the β-protons also depend on the nature of X, and vary from 9.35 (X = ClO₄) to 9.04 (X = OC₆H₄-p-Me) ppm. Increasing basicity of X causes red shifts in the visible spectra, as well as a decrease in the molar absorption coefficient ratio (_β/) for the visible absorption bands. Tin-proton coupling constants for the axial ligands OH, OMe and OAc are reported. The complex Sn(TPP)(ClO₄)₂ exhibits unusual NMR behaviour in CDCl₃ solutions, possibly due to self-aggregation.     

Synthesis and application of diphenylbis (3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane to form η-arene complexes of molybdenum

The neutral nitrogen-bidentate ligand, diphenylbis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, Ph₂CPz′₂, can readily be obtained by the reaction of Ph₂CCl₂ with excess HPz′ in a mixed-solvent system of toluene and triethylamine. It reacts with [Mo(CO)₆] in 1,2-dimethoxyethane to give the η²-arene complex, [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₃] (1). This η²-ligation appears to stabilize the coordination of Ph₂CPz′ ₂ in forming [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₂(N₂C₆H₄NO₂-p)][BPh₄] (2) and [Mo(Ph₂CPz′₂)(CO)₂(N₂Ph)] [BF₄] (3) from the reaction of 1 with the appropriate diazonium salt but the stabilization seems not strong enough when [Mo{P(OMe)₃} ₃(CO)₃] is formed from the reaction of 1 with P(OMe)₃. The solid-state structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by X-ray crystallography: 1-CH₂Cl₂, monoclinic, P2₁/n, a = 11.814(3), b = 11.7929(12), c = 19.46 0(6) Å, β = 95.605(24)°, V = 2698.2(11) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.530 g/cm³ , R = 0.044, R_w = 0.036 based on 3218 reflections with I > 2σ(I); 2 (3)-1/2 hexane-1/2 CH₃OH-1/2 H₂O-1 CH₂Cl₂, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 41.766(10), b = 20.518(4), c = 16.784(3) Å, β = 101.871(18)°, V = 14076(5) ų, Z = 8, D_calc = 1.457 g/cm³, R = 0.064, R_w = 0.059 based on 5865 reflections with I > 2σ(I). Two independent cations were found in the asymmetric unit of the crystals of 3. The average distance between the Mo and the two η²-ligated carbon atoms is 2.574 Å in 1 and 2.581 and 2.608 Å in 3. The unfavourable disposition of the η²-phenyl group with respect to the metal centre in 3 and the rigidity of the η²-arene ligation excludes the possibility of any appreciable agostic C---H → Mo interaction.     

A novel palladium-induced epimerization of steroid alcohols—a single-step synthesis of epimeric alcohols

The epimerization of steroid alcohols is induced by the Pd(PPh₃)₄-p-benzoquinone system. A convenient method for the synthesis of epicholesterol is described.     

新型磷-钒-氧层状化合物[H2en]2[H3O]6[Co(H2O)2(VO)8(OH)4(PO4)8]的水热合成与晶体结构

金属磷酸盐材料在吸附、离子交换、离子传导和催化剂方面有潜在的应用前景[1～5]. 近年来, 通过水热反应合成了一些A-V-P-O化合物. 在这些化合物中, A一般为碱金属或有机阳离子, 如层状结构的[H2N(C4H8)2NH2][(VO)4(OH)4(PO4)2][6] 和[H2N(C2H4)3NH2][(VO)8(HPO4)3(PO4)4*(OH)2]*2H2O[6], 一维链状结构的 [H2NCH2CH2NH3(VO)(PO4)][7], 手性双螺旋结构的 [(CH3)2NH2]K4[(VO)10(H2O)2(OH)4(PO4)7]*H2O[8]以及具有三维骨架结构的化合物 [H3N(CH2)3NH3K(VO)3(PO4)3][9], [H3N(CH2)3NH3]2[V(H2O)2(VO)6(OH)2(HPO4)3(PO4)5]*3H2O[10]和[H3N(CH2)2NH3][(VO)3(H2O)2(PO4)2(HPO4)4][11].     

M/(MgO)y(CeO2)1－y(M=Ni、Co、Cu)催化剂的催化甲烷燃烧性能

采用溶胶凝胶法制备了M/(MgO)_y(CeO2)_1－y(M=Ni、Co、Cu)催化剂. 研究了催化剂Ni/(MgO)y(CeO₂)_1－y催化活性与Ce含量的关系, 当y＝0.9时, 催化剂的活性和稳定性最好. 对比研究了(MgO)_0.9(CeO2)_0.1为载体, 负载Ni、Co、Cu活性组分的催化剂催化甲烷燃烧性能. 结果表明, 负载Cu的催化剂活性最好, 但二次评价后催化剂已烧结；负载Ni的催化剂活性与负载Cu的催化剂相差不大, 且稳定性最好, 经1000 ℃焙烧的Ni/(MgO)_0.9(CeO2)_0.1催化剂比表面仍有14.32 m₂•g^－1, 具有较高的催化活性和很好的热稳定性；负载Co的催化剂活性不如前两者, 稳定性居中, 但比表面降低得最少, 抗烧结能力强.     

Syntheses and structures of five cadmium(II) coordination polymers from 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane

Five structually distinct coordination polymers [Cd(bte)₃](NO₃)_{2 n} (1), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)_{2 n} (2), [Cd(bte)(NO₂)₂] _n (3), [Cd(bte)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂(ClO₄)_{2 n} (4) and [Cd(bte)(NCS)₂]_n (5) (bte = 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 consist of a double interpenetrating three-dimensional -poloniumn cubic network, a two-dimensional (4,4) network, a two-dimensional rhombic network, a one-dimensional double chain containing 18-membered [Cd₂(bte)₂] rings and a two-dimensional rhombic network containing eight-membered [Cd₂(SCN)₂] rings, respectively.     

Reactions of tetrakis(trifluoromethyl) diphosphine and bis(trifluoromethyl) phosphine with ruthenium carbonyl clusters; X-ray structure of tetraruthenium carbonyl cluster derivatives

Reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂P---P(CF₃)₂ in p-xylene at 140°C yielded the compounds [Ru₄(CO)₁₃{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (1), [Ru₄(CO)₁₄{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₂] (2) and [Ru₄(CO)₁₁{μ-P(CF₃)₂}₄] (3). Reaction with [(μ-H)₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂] under similar conditions yielded [(μ-H)₃Ru₄(CO)₁₂{μ-P(CF₃)₂}] (4). All four compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography. The fluxional behaviour of the hydrides in 4 has also been studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were also obtained from the reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with (CF₃)₂PH in dichloromethane at 80°C.     

2-(Phenyltelluromethyl)tetrahydrofuran (L) and 2-(2-{4-methoxyphenyl}telluroethyl)-1,3- dioxolane (L) and their palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes

The nucleophile [ArTe⁻] generated in situ borohydride solution of Ar₂Te₂, reacts with 2-(chloromethyl) tetrahydrofuran and 2-(2-bromoethyl)-1,3-dioxolane resulting in L¹ and L², respectively. The complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II) with L¹/L² having stoichiometries [MCl₂·L₂], [ML₂](ClO₄)₂, [(DPPE)ML₂](ClO)₄)₂, [(PPh₃)₂ML₂](ClO₄)₂ and [(phen)ML₂](ClO₄)₂ (where L = L¹/L² DPPE = Ph₂PC H₂CH₂PPh₂, PHEN = 1,10-phenanthroline and M = Pd/Pt) have been synthesized. IR, ¹H, ¹²⁵Te{¹H} and ³¹P{¹H} NMR and UV-vis spectral data of these species in conjunction with their molar conductance and molecular weight data have been used to authenticate the new species. In all complexes (1–20) the ligands L¹ and L² are coordinated through tellurium and in the complexes of formula [ML₂](ClO₄)₂ (M = Pd, Pt) the ligand is bidentate with the oxygen atom used in complexation. In solution, complexes PtCl₂L₂ exist as a mixture of cis and trans isomers whereas only the trans isomer was observed for the palladium analogues. The [(phen)PdL₂](ClO₄)₂(Q) quenches ¹O₂ readily. The plot of log [Q] vs time is linear. Mechanism compatible with the experimental observations is proposed.     

Reactions of Lewis bases with tetrakisdiphenylamide uranium(IV)

The coordinatively unsaturated uranium(IV) complex U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ has been prepared via the stoichiometric reaction of diphenylamine with [(Me₃Si)₂N]₂ H₂. U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ coordinates Lewis bases such as Et₂O, THF, pyridine or (EtO)₃PO, based on electronic absorption spectroscopy and ¹H NMR studies. Exchange between U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ and U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄(L), where L is THF or pyridine, is rapid on the NMR time-scale between 307 and 323 K. Measurement of equilibrium constants for L = THF provides ΔH and ΔS values of −60 kJ mol⁻¹ and −1.8 × 10² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ coordinates and binds (EtO)₃PO much more tightly (K_eq = & > 10⁴ M⁻¹) than THF or pyridine with the exchange rate between U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄ and U[N(C₆H₅)₂]₄[OP(OEt)₃] being close to the NMR time-scale.     

Complexes of ruthenium(II) and -(III) with dimethylsulphoxide—III. Bis-iodo-tetrakis- dimethylsulphoxide ruthenium(II) and some other iodo complexes of ruthenium(II)

The ruthenium(II) complex [RuI₂(Me₂SO)₄] was synthesized and characterized. The Me₂SO ligands are all S-bonded. Reactions of RuI₂(Me₂SO)₄ with ligands containing P, N and S donor atoms have been carried out and the complexes obtained were characterized using different physical methods. [RuI₂L₄] (L= CH₃CN, Me₂SO and py), [RuI₂(CH₃CN)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [RuI₂(CS)(PPh₃)₃] have been synthesized using RuI₃ as the source material and characterized as above.     

Syntheses, spectroscopic characteristics and thermolytic rearrangements of bis-[(trimethylgermyl)methyl]platinum(II) and bis-[(trimethylstannyl)methyl]platinum(II) complexes

The preparations and spectroscopic characteristics are reported of a series of (trimethylgermyl)methyl- and (trimethylstannyl)methylplatinum(II) complexes with diene and P-donor ancillary ligands, cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂L₂ (L = PPh₃ or PPh₂Me; L₂ = dppe or cod) and cis-Pt(CH₂SnMe₃)₂L₂ (L = PPh₃; L₂ =cod). Thermolysis of toluene solutions of cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(PPh₃)₂ leads to cis-Pt(Me)(CH₂GeMe₂CH₂GeMe₃)(PPh₃)₂ via β-alkyl migration, after (non-rate-limiting) phosphine dissociation. Estimated activation parameters (ΔH_{298 K}^‡ = 126 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹, ΔS^‡ = + 17 ± 7 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and hence Δ_{298 K}^‡ = 121 ± 5 kJ mol⁻¹) suggest that this system is more migration labile than its silicon analogue, primarily as a result of a lower activation enthalpy. While cis-Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(PPh₂Me)₂ reacts similarly but less readily, Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(dppe)₂ is inert at operable temperatures. Thermolysis of Pt(CH₂GeMe₃)₂(cod) generates 1,1,3,3,-tetramethyldi-1,3-germacyclobutane as the major organogermanium product, while from cis-Pt(CH₂SnMe₃)₂(PPh₃)₂, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldi-1,3-stannacyclobutane predominates. Mechanistic implications are discussed.     

Mononuclear Pt(II) and Pd(II) 1,4-dithiolato complexes. Crystal structures of [Pt((−) DIOS) (PPh3)2] and [Pd(S(CH2) 4S)(Ph2P(CH2) 3PPh2)]. Application in styrene hydroformylation

Addition of 1,4-dithiols to dichloromethane solutions of [PtCl₂(P-P)] (P-P = (PPh₃)₂, Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂, Phd₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂; 1,4-dithiols = HS(CH₂)₄SH, (−)DIOSH₂ (2,3-O-isopropylidene-1,4-dithiol-l-threitol), BINASH₂ (1,1′-dinaphthalene-2,2′-dithiol)) in the presence of NEt₃ yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pt(1,4-dithiolato)(P-P)]. Related palladium(II) complexes [Pd(dithiolato)(P-P)] (P-P=Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂, Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂; dithiolato = ⁻S(CH₂)₄S⁻, (−)-DIOS) were prepared by the same method. The structure of [Pt((−)DIOS)(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(S(CH₂)₄S)(Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂)] complexes was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Pt—dithiolato—SnC1₂ systems are active in the hydroformylation of styrene. At 100 atm and 125°C [Pt(dithiolate)(P-P)]/SnCl₂ (Pt:Sn = 20) systems provided aldehyde conversion up to 80%.     

Synthesis and characterization of cationic heteronuclear complexes of platinum(II) and silver( I) bridged by alkynyl ligands

The dialkynyl complexes cis-[Pt(C CR)₂L₂] [R = Ph, L₂ = 2PPh₃, 2PEt₃, dppe (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane]; R ---^tBu, L₂ = 2PPh₃, dppe) react with silver perchlorate in a molar ratio 1:0.5 to give platinum-silver perchlorate salts of the type [Pt₂ Ag(C CR)₄L₄](ClO₄) in excellent yield. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pt₂Ag(C = CPh)₄(PPh₃)₄](ClO₄) 1 shows that the cation is formed by two nearly orthogonal cis-[Pt(C CPh)₂(PPh₃)₂] units connected through a silver cation which is unsymmetrically π-bonded to all four acetylene fragments. Similar reactions of cis-[Pt(C CR)₂L₂] with one equivalent of AgClO₄ afford cationic complexes of general formula [PtAg(C CR)₂L₂](ClO₄), which are believed to be salts, [Pt₂Ag₂(C CR)₄L₄](ClO₄)₂.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of sulfonates, phosphinates and carboxylates of organometallic Group 4 metal fluorides

Reaction of [Cp^*TiF₃] (Cp^* = (ν⁵-C₅Me₅)) with Me₃SiOSO₂- p-C₆H₄CH₃, Me₃SiOPOPh₂ and 1,2-(Me₃SiOCO)₂C₆H₄ yields the dinuclear complexes [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OSO₂-p-C₆H₄CH₄)}₂] (1), [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OPOPh₂)}₂] (2) and [{Cp^*TiF(μ-F)(μ-OCO-o-C₆H₄CO₂SiMe₃)}₂] (3). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. In complexes 1-3, the two titanium atoms are connected by bridging fluorine atoms as well as bridging sulfonate, phosphinate and carboxylate groups respectively. Each titanium atom is also bonded to a terminal fluorine atom. Reaction of [Cp₂^*ZrF₂] with 1,2-(Me₃SiOCO)₂C₆H₄ leads to the mononuclear pentacoordinate 18-electron species [Cp₂^*ZrF(μ-OCO-o-C₆H₄CO₂SiMe₃)] (4) and its structure was determined by X-ray crystallographic methods.     

Phenylbis(2- pyridyl)phosphine: P- vs. N,N′-coordination in carbonylmolybdenum-(O) and -(II) complexes

The first carbonyl molybdenum-(O) and -(II) complexes with phenylbis(2-pyridyl)phosphine (PPhpy₂) have been synthesized. PPhpy₂ reacts with [Mo(CO)₅(NCMe)] to give [Mo(CO)₅(PPhpy₂-P)]. With [Mo(CO)₄(NBD)] (NBD = norbornadiene) it gives [Mo(CO)₄(PPhpy₂-P)₂] when a 2 : 1 ratio is used, or [MO(CO)₄(py₂PhP---N,N′)] for a 1 : 1 ratio. Decarbonylation of any of these pyridylphosphine complexes leads to an oligomer of formula {MO(CO)₃(μ-PPhpy₂)}_n, which is also obtained after heating [MO(CO)₆] in solution with an equimolar amount of PPhpy₂. The oligomer undergoes oxidative addition by iodine or allylbromide to give [MoI₂(CO)₃(py₂PhP---N,N′)], or [MoBr(η³-CH₂CHCH₂)(CO)₂(py₂PhP---N,N′)], respectively. These complexes are also obtained by addition of equimolar amounts of PPhpy₂ to solutions of [MoI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] and MoBr(η³-CH₂CH CH₂)(CO)₂(NCMe)₂, respectively. The ligand tends to act as a P-donor towards molybdenum(O) substrates, and as a chelating N,N′-donor in molybdenum (II) complexes.     

Mixed alkyl isocyanide-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene complexes of molybdenum(II) and tungsten(II)

The reactions of M(CO)₄(R′-DAB) (M = Mo) or W; R′-DAB = R′-N=CHCH=NR′ (R′ = i-propyl, t-butyl, or cyclohexyl) with SnCl₄ in dichloromethane solution result in the formation, in high yield, of the orange, diamagnetic, seven-coordinate oxidative-addition products M(CO)₃(R′-DAB)(SnCl₃)Cl. The reactions of Mo(CO)₃(R′-DAB)(SnCl₃)Cl (R′ = i-Pr or Cy) with an excess of alkyl isocyanide RNC (R = CHMe₂, CMe₃, or C₆H₁₁) in the presence of KPF₆ lead to the formation of [Mo(CNR)₄(R′-DAB)Cl]PF₆ or [Mo(CNR)₅(R′-DAB)](PF₆)₂ depending upon the reaction stoichiometry and reaction conditions. The monocationic chloro species are converted to [Mo(CNR)₅(R′-DAB)](PF₆)₂ upon reflux with the stoichiometric amount of RNC. Under similar reactions conditions M(CO)₃(t-Bu-DAB)(SnCl₃)Cl (M = Mo or W) derivatives react with alkyl isocyanides with the reductive-elimination of the elements of SnCl₄ and the formation of octahedral M(CO)₃(CNR)(t-Bu-DAB). The dark red compounds [Mo(CNCMe₃)₅(R′-DAB)](PF₆)₂ (R′ = i-Pr or Cy) react readily with cyanide ions at ambient temperatures in methanol to yield [Mo(CNCMe₃)₄(R′-DAB)(CN)]PF₆. Attempts to thermally dealkylate the parent complexes [Mo(CNCMe₃)₅(R′-DAB)](PF₆)₂ (R′ = i-Pr or Cy) to these same cyano species were unsuccessful.     

Template reactions with polynuclear complexes. The reaction of [Mo2(O2CCF3)4(PR3)2] (R = Ph, Et) with 2-aminobenzaldehyde

The binuclear molybdenum(II) complexes [Mo₂(O₂CCF₃)₄(PR₃)₂] (R = Ph, Et) act as templates for the self-condensation of 2-aminobenzaldehyde to give a new class of complexes in which a hydride ion bridges two molybdenum(III) centres, each of which carries a tetradentate macrocyclic ligand (C). The new hydrido complexes [Mo₂(C)₂ (H)(O₂CCF₃)₃(PPh₃)₂] (I), [Mo₂(C)₂(H)₂(O₂CCF₃)₂(PPh₃)₂] (II), and [Mo₂(C)₂ (H)₂(O₂CCF₃)₂(PEt₃)₂]₂ (V) exist in two or more isomeric forms as shown by their IR, ¹H, ³¹P and ¹⁹F NMR spectra. Substitution with thiocyanate, nitrate and tetraphenylborate anions gives the new products [Mo₂(C)₂(H)(CO)(NCS)₃(PPh₃)₂] (III), [Mo₂(C)₂ (H)₂(O₂CCF₃)(NO₃)(PPh₃)₂] (IV), [Mo₂(C)₂(H)(O₂CCF₃)(PPh₃)₂](BPh₄)₂ (VI) and [Mo₂(C)₂(H)₂(O₂CCF₃)(PEt₃)₂](BPh₄) (VII), which also exist in isomeric forms.