Synthesis and electrochemistry of cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligands containing O,N and S donor atoms

The synthesis and characterization of a number of cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) coordination complexes involving tridentate (ONS) ligands is described. The Schiff base ligands were obtained by condensation of 5-substituted salicylaldehydes with o-aminobenzenethiol or 2-aminoethanethiol. The chemical properties of these molybdenum complexes are compared with those having tridentate ligands with the ONO donor atom set. Cyclic voltammetry was used to obtain cathodic reduction potentials (E_pc) for the irreversible reduction of the Mo(VI) complexes. Although the reductions are irreversible, trends are observed in E_pc both within each series and when different series are compared. Cathodic reduction potentials for the four series examined span the range from ?1.53 to ?1.05 V versus NHE. There are three ligand features whose effect systematically alters the Mo(VI) cathodic reduction potentials. These include (1) the X-substituent on the salicylaldehyde portion of each ligand; (2) the degree of ligand delocalization; and (3) the substitution of a sulphur donor atom for an oxygen donor atom. Each of these effects is considered separately with regard to the Mo(VI) cathodic reduction potentials and then their cumulative effect is described.