Cis di-oxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with a tridentate ONO donor ligand; synthesis,X-ray crystal structure,spectroscopic properties and oxotransfer chemistry

The molybdenum complexes of Schiff base ligands viz. [MoO₂LH₂O] where L¹ = tris(hydroxymethyl)(salicylide-neamino)methane, L² = tris(hydroxymethyl)(2,3-dihydroxybenzylideneamino)methane and L³ = tris(hydroxymethyl)(2,3,4-trihydroxybenzylideneamino)methane have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex [MoO₂L¹H₂O] reveals a distorted octahedral geometry with one ligand and a water molecule coordinated to the MoO₂ center. No previous complex of this type contains a coordinated water molecule. The complex undergoes an oxotransfer in the presence of Bu₃P to form a -oxobridged molybdenum(V,V) dimer. This rules out Mo—S coordination as a prerequisite for oxotransfer in such molybdenum(VI) complexes.