2,5-Dimethylthiophene coordination to three metal centers in the complexes (η4, S-μ3-2,5-Me2T)(IrCp*) [M(CO)2Cp]2 where MMo or W

The 2,5-dimethylthiophene (2,5-Me₂T) ligand in the isomers Cp*Ir(η⁴-2,5-Me₂T) (1) and Cp*Ir(C,S-2,5-Me₂T) (2) is activated to react with the dimers Cp(CO)₂M?M(CO)₂CpM?Mo (3), W (4)] to give complexes (5,6) in which the thiophene is coordinated to three metals. Oxidation of 5 with Cp₂Fe⁺ removes the Mo dimer to give Cp*Ir(η⁵-2,5-Me₂T)²⁺. Reaction of 5 with CO displaces the Mo as CpMo(CO)₃]₂ to give Cp*Ir(CO)(C,S-2,5-Me₂T) (7). Ultraviolet photolysis of 1 provides a convenient route to the ring-opened isomer 2. Despite the remarkable nature of the thiophene coordination in 5 and 6, its reactivity does not suggest new pathways that would lead to the hydrodesulfurization of thiophenes.