Reactions of cationic dinuclear molybdenum complexes containing μ-sulfido and μ-thiolate ligands

Cationic dinuclear molybdenum complexes with bridging sulfido and thiolate ligands of the formula (CpMo)₂(µ-S₂CH₂)(µ-S)(µ-SR)]^– have been found to show extensive reactivity with molecular hydrogen and with organic molecules that results in the cleavage of C-C, C-N, and C-O bonds. The scope of the reactivity and mechanistic information are reviewed in this paper, and the potential relevance of the reactions to those of heterogeneous molybdenum sulfide catalysts in the hydrotreating process is discussed. Studies of the complex redox chemistry and of the electrophilic and nucelophilic sites within the dinuclear derivatives provide an important basis for understanding the bond cleavage reaction mechanisms, and these topics are also reviewed here.