Heterobimetallic (RuCo) complexes with chelating and bridging Ph2PCH2PPh2 (dppm) ligands

Reaction of the heterobinuclear complex (CO)₄Ru(μ-PPh₂)Co(CO)₃ with Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂ (dppm) affords the dppm chelate (dppm)(CO)₂Ru(μ-PPh₂)Co(CO)₃ (1) and the dppm bridged molecule (CO)₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-dppm)Co(CO)₂ (2) both of which have been characterised by X-ray diffraction: 1 is the first binuclear RuCo complex containing a chelating dppm ligand and 2 the first heterobinuclear μ-dppm (RuCo) compound.     

Reaction of the heterometallic cluster Os3Ru(μ-H)2(CO)13 with diphenylphosphine: phosphido-bridged tetrahedral and butterfly clusters

TMNO-activated reaction of the heteronuclear cluster Os₃Ru(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₃ (1) with diphenylphosphine afforded the novel phosphido-bridged clusters Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁ (2), Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)₂(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀ (3), Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)₂(μ-H)₄(CO)₉ (4), and Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁(PPh₂H) (5). The formation of 2-5 proceeded via P-H bond cleavage in the adduct Os₃Ru(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₂(PPh₂H) (6). Reaction of 2 with PPh₃ afforded the adduct Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₁(PPh₃) (7) and the substituted derivative Os₃Ru(μ-PPh₂)(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₀(PPh₃) (8).     

Synthesis and reactivity of a novel hydridocobalt(III) complex containing trimethylphosphine and thiophenolato ligands

The novel hydridocobalt(III) complex [mer-Co(H)(SPh)₂(PMe₃)₃] (1) was prepared by reaction of thiophenol with [Co(PMe₃)₃Cl], [Co(PMe₃)₄] and [Co(PMe₃)₄Me]. A dinuclear cobalt dithiophenolato complex [Co(PMe₃)₂(SPh)]₂ (2) was obtained from the reaction of thiophenol with [Co(PMe₃)₄Me]. Reaction of 1 with iodomethane afforded complex [Co(PMe₃)₃(I)₂] (3). Reaction of complex 2 with carbon monoxide gave a mononuclear dicarbonyl cobalt(I) complex [Co(PMe₃)₃(CO)₂(SPh)] (4). The crystal structures of 1-4 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Formation mechanism of 1 is discussed.     

Corrigendum

Reactions of NaMn(CO)₃ with RuCl₂(PMe₃)₄, RuCl₂(dppm)₂ and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ lead either to an ionic species [Ru₂Cl₃(PMe₃)₆]+[Mn(CO)₅]^? or to metal—metal bonded RuMn compounds such as RuMn(μ-CO)₂(CO)₃(μ-dppm)₂ Cl, and, quite unexpectedly, to the μ-phosphido complex RuMn(μ-PPh₂)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂ via a hydride intermediate.     

Tetracarbonyl group 6 complexes containing secondary and tertiary phosphines

The mixed ligand tetracarbonyl derivatives, cis-M(CO)₄(PPh₂H)(PPh₃) (M  Cr, Mo, W) and cis-W(CO)₄(PPh₂H)(L) (L  PEt₃, PEt₂Ph, PEtPh₂) have been prepared from the reaction of M(CO)₅PPh₂H with L in THF in the presence of potassium t-butoxide. These reactions are accompanied in most instances by the formation of [W(CO)₅PPh₂]⁻, [(OC)₅M(μ-PPh₂)M(CO)₅]⁻, [(OC)₅M(μ-PPh₂)-M(CO)₄(PPh₂H)]⁻, [(OC)₄M(μ-PPh₂)₂M(CO)₄]²⁻, (OC)₄M(μ-PPh₂)₂M(CO)₄, and cis-M(CO)₄(PPh₂H)₂.     

Phosphido-phosphinidene transformations. Ru3(CO)6-[P(Ph)C(Ph)C(Ph)](μ-PPh2)2: A novel six vertex nido-pentagonal bipyramidal structure via reductive elimination and acetylene insertion at a triruthenium centre

The complex Ru₃(CO)₆[P(Ph)C(Ph)C(Ph)](μ-PPh₂)₂ has been obtained by treating (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-PPh₂)₃ with C₂Ph₂ in aliphatic hydrocarbons and its structure has been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The alkyne inserts into a RuP bond and there is reductive elimination of benzene, formed by coupling of a phenyl group of the μ-PPh₂ ligand with the cluster μ-hydride.     

Studies on the reactivity of the clusters [Ru3(CO)8(μ-H)2(μ-PR2)2] (R=But,Cy) towards phosphine ligands

The reaction behavior of the 48e-clusters [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-H)₂(μ-PR₂)₂] (R=Bu^t, 1a; R=Cy, 1b) towards phosphine ligands has been studied. Whereas 1a reacts spontaneously with many phosphines at room temperature, a lack of reactivity for 1b under similar conditions is observed. Thus 1a reacts with dppm (Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) to the known 46e-cluster [Ru₃(μ-CO)(CO)₄(μ₃-H)(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-dppm)] (2a), and the reaction of 1a with dppe (Ph₂PC₂H₄PPh₂) yields analogously [Ru₃(μ-CO)(CO)₄(μ₃-H)(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-dppe)] (3). Reactions of 1a with dmpm (Me₂PCH₂PMe₂), dmpe (Me₂PC₂H₄PMe₂) and PBuⁿ₃, respectively, gave in each case a mixture of products which could not be characterized. Contrary to the reaction behavior at room temperature, 1b reacts with phosphines in THF under reflux yielding the novel complexes [Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-H)₂(μ-PCy₂)₂L₂] (L=Cy₂PH, 4a; L=Bu^t₂PH, 4b; L=Ph₂PH, 4c; L=P(OEt)₃, 4d). 4a is also obtained directly by the reaction of [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] with an excess of Cy₂PH. The molecular structure of 4a has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. Moreover, the thermolysis of 1a in octane affords [Ru₃(CO)₈(μ-H)₂(μ₃-PBu^t)(Bu^t₂PH)] (6) as the main product, and the thermolysis of [Ru₃(CO)₉(Bu^t₂PH)(μ-dppm)] (7) yields 2a to a considerable extent. Treatment of 1a with carbon tetrachloride leads to [Ru₃(CO)₇(μ-H)(μ-PBu^t₂)₂(μ-Cl)] (8) as the main product.     

Reactions of 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene with Os3(CO)12: C-H and C-P bond cleavage reactions

Reactions of Os₃(CO)₁₂ with 1,8-bis(diphenylphosphino)naphthalene (dppn) are described. Crystallographically characterised complexes isolated from a reaction carried out in refluxing toluene are Os₃(μ-H)₂{μ-PPh₂(nap)PPh(C₆H₄)}₂(CO)₆ (1), Os₃(μ-H){μ₃-PPh₂(nap)PPh(C₆H₄)}(CO)₈ (2) and Os₂(μ-PPh₂){μ-PPh₂(nap)}(CO)₅ (3) (nap=1,8-C₁₀H₆), while at r.t. in the presence of ONMe₃, only Os₃(CO)₁₁{PPh₂(1-C₁₀H₇)} (4) was isolated. While 1 and 2 contain ligands formed by metallation of a Ph group of dppn, as found also in complexes obtained from dppn and Ru₃(CO)₁₂, ligands in 3 and 4 are formed by cleavage of a P-nap bond, not found in the Ru series.     

Diphenylphosphine and diphenylphosphido derivatives of [Ru3(μ-H)(μ3-ampy)(CO)9] (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine)

The reactions of [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-ampy)(CO)₉] (1) (Hampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine) with one or two equivalents of PPh₂H lead to the complexes [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(CO)₈(PPh₂H)] (2) or [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(CO)₇(PPh₂H)₂] (3), in which the PPh₂H ligands are cis to the bridging NH fragment and cis to the hydride. Complex 2 can be transformed in refluxing THF into the phosphido-bridged derivative [Ru₃(μ₃-ampy)(μ-PPh₂)(μ-CO)₂(CO)₆] (4), which contains the PPh₂ ligand spanning one of the two RuRu edges unbridged by the amido moiety, and presents an extremely high ³¹P chemical shift of 386.9 ppm. Under similar conditions, complex 3 gives a mixture of two isomers of [Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-ampy)(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆] in a 5:1 ratio; the major product (5) has a plane of symmetry, whereas the minor one (6) is asymmetric.     

Conversion of allene into μ-dimethylcarbene at a diruthenium centre

Treatment of [Ru₂(CO)(μ-CO) {μ-C(O)C₂Ph₂} (η-C ₅H₅)₂] with allene in toluene at 100°C displaces diphenylacetylene and produces [Ru(CO)(η-C₅H₅)-{η³-C₃H₄Ru(CO)₂(η-C₅H₅)}]; upon protonation a 1-methylvinyl cation [Ru₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-C(Me)CH₂}(η-C₅H₅)₂]⁺ is formed which undergoes nucleophillic attack by hydride to yield the μ-dimethylcarbene complex [Ru₂(CO)₂-(μ-CO)(μ-CMe₂)(η-C₅H₅)₂].     

Complexation and metallation of Ph2PCC(CH2)5CCPh2 in triosmium carbonyl clusters

Reaction of Ph₂PCC(CH₂)₅CCPh₂ with Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ affords Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ,η²-(Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀) (1) and the double cluster [Os₃(CO)₁₀]₂(μ,η²- (Ph₂P)₂C₉H₁₀)₂ (2), through coordination of the phosphine groups. Thermolysis of 1 in toluene generates Os₃(CO)₇(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁵-Ph₂PC₉H₁₀) (3) and Os₃(CO)₈(μ-PPh₂)(μ₃,η⁶-Ph₂P(C₉H₁₀)CO) (4). The molecular structures of 1, 3, and 4 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. Both 3 and 4 contain a bridging phosphido group and a carbocycle connected to an osmacyclopentadienyl ring, which are apparently derived from C-P bond activation and C-C bond rearrangement of the dpndy ligand governed by the triosmium clusters.     

Preparation of Ru(CO)3(PMe3)MeI and its acetyl derivatives

[Ru(CO)₄PMe₃] reacts with MeI to give fac-[Ru(CO)₃(PMe₃)(Me)I]. The latter reacts with PMe₃ to give a mixture of the three isomers of cis-bis(trimethylphosphine)-cis-dicarbonyl acetyl iodide [Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(COMe)I]. Decarbonylation of the mixture gives only the trans-bis(trimethylphosphine)-cis-dicarbonyl methyl iodide complex [Ru(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂MeI], which was also prepared by oxidative addition of MeI to [Ru(CO)₃(PMe₃)₂].     

Photoinduced formation of phosphido-bridged clusters derived from Ru3(CO)9(PPh2H)3. Crystal and molecular structure of Ru3(μ-H)(μ-PPh2)3(CO)7

The new complex Ru₃(CO)₉(PPh₂H)₃ (I) was prepared by the direct thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with PPh₂ H and was spectroscopically characterized. Irradiation of I with λ ≥ 300 nm leads to the formation of Ru₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₆ (II) and three new phosphido-bridged complexes, Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₈ (III), Ru₃(μ-H)₂(μ-PPh₂)₂(CO)₇(PPh₂H) (IV) and Ru₃(μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ (V). These complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and Ru₃ (μ-H)(μ-PPh₂)₃(CO)₇ by a complete single crystal X-ray structure determination. It crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a 20.256(3), b 22.418(6), c 20.433(5) Å, β 112.64(2)°, V 8564(4) ų, and Z = 8. Diffraction data were collected on a Syntex P2₁ automated diffractometer using graphite-monochromatized Mo-K_α radiation, and the structure was refined to R_F 4.76% and R_wF 5.25% for the 8,847 independent reflections with F₀ > 6σ(F₀). The structure consists of a triangular array of Ru atoms with seven terminal carbonyl ligands, three bridging diphenylphosphido ligands which bridge each of the RuRu bonds, and the hydride ligand which bridges one RuRu bond. Complex IV was also shown to give V upon photolysis and is thus an intermediate in the photoinduced formation of V from I.     

Insertion Reactions of [ReH(CO)5–n(PMe3)n] Complexes (n = 2–4) with aldehydes,CO2, and activated acetylenes

The complexes of the type [ReH(CO)_5–n(PMe₃)_n] (n = 4, 3) were reacted with aldehydes, CO₂, and RC?CCOOMe (R = H, Me) to establish a phosphine-substitutional effect on the reactivity of the Re–H bond. In the series 1–3 , benzaldehyde showed conversion with only 3 to afford a (benzyloxy)carbonyltetrakis(trimethylphosphine)rhenium complex 4 . Pyridine-2-carbaldehyde allowed reaction with all hydrides 1–3 . With 1 and 2 , the same dicarbonyl[(pyridin-2-yl)methoxy-O, N]bis(trimethylphosphine)rhenium 5b was formed with the intermediacy of a [(pyridin-2-yl)methoxy-O]-ligated species and extrusion of CO or PMe₃, respectively. The analogous conversion of 3 afforded the carbonyl[(pyridin-2-yl)methoxy-O,N]tris(trimethylphosphine)rhenium ( 1 ) 7b . While 1 did not react with CO₂, 2 and 3 yielded under relatively mild conditions the formato-ligated [Re(HCO₂)(CO)(L)(PMe₃)₃] species ( 8 (L = CO) and 9 (L = PMe₃)). Methyl propiolate and methyl butynoate were transformed, in the presence of 1 , to [Re{C(CO₂Me)?CHR}(CO)₃(PMe₃)₂] systems ( 10a (R = H), and 10b (R = Me)), with prevailing α-metallation and trans-insertion stereochemistry. Similarly, HC≡CCO₂Me afforded with 2 and 3 , the α-metallation products [Re{C(CO₂Me)?CH₂}(CO)(L)(PMe₃)₃] 11 (L = CO) and 12 (L = PMe₃). The methyl butyonate insertion into 2 resulted in formation of a mixture of the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of [Re{C(CO₂Me)?CHMe} (CO)₂(PMe₃)₃] ( 13a , b ). In the case of the conversion of 3 with MeC?CCO₂Me, a Re–H cis-addition product [Re{(E)-C(CO₂Me)?CHMe}(CO)(PMe₃)₄] ( 14 ) was selectively obtained. Complex 11 was characterized by an X-ray crystal-structure analysis.     

Synthesis of new heterometallic complexes by tin-sulfur bond cleavage of pySSnPh3 (pySH = pyridine-2-thiol) at triruthenium and triosmium centres

The ruthenium-tin complex, [Ru₂(CO)₄(SnPh₃)₂(μ-pyS)₂] (1), the main product of the oxidative-addition of pySSnPh₃ to Ru₃(CO)₁₂ in refluxing benzene, is [Ru(CO)₂(pyS)(SnPh₃)] synthon. It reacts with PPh₃ to give [Ru(CO)₂(SnPh₃)(PPh₃)(κ²-pyS)] (2) and further with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ or [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] to afford the butterfly clusters [MRu₃(CO)₁₂(SnPh₃)(μ₃-pyS)] (3, M=Ru; 4, M=Os). Direct addition of pySSnPh₃ to [Os₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] at 70 °C gives [Os₃(CO)₉(SnPh₃)(μ₃-pyS)] (5) as the only bimetallic compound, while with unsaturated [Os₃(CO)₈{μ₃-PPh₂CH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-H)] the previously reported [Os₃(CO)₈(μ-pyS)(μ-H)(μ-dppm)] (6) and the new bimetallic cluster [Os₃(CO)₇(SnPh₃){μ-Ph₂PCH₂P(Ph)C₆H₄}(μ-pyS)[(μ-H)] (7) are formed at 110 °C. Compounds 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Metathetical reactions of carbonylate anions with dichlororuthenium complexes: Preparation and characterization of ruthenium—molybdenum and ruthenium—manganese complexes

The possibility of making metal—metal bonded heterobimetallic species by metathesis of ruthenium dichlorides with anionic carbonylates is demonstrated by the isolation of MoRu(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂(η-C₅H₅) (1) and MnRuCl(μ-CO)₂(CO)₃(μ-dppm)₂ (2), obtained by action of [Mo(CO)₃(η-C₅H₅]^? on RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ and of Mn(CO)₅^? on RuCl₂(dppm)₂, respectively. In contrast, reaction of Mn(CO)₅^? with RuCl₂(PMe₃)₄ yielded an ionic species 3 containing the diruthenium cation Ru₂Cl₃(PMe₃)₆⁺. More interestingly, the action of Mn(CO)₅^? on RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ resulted in the formation of the unexpected complex MnRu(μ-PPh₂)(CO)₆(PPh₃)₂ (4) in which the phosphido group PPh₂ bridges the two metals; this process is shown to involve a hydride intermediate, and elimination of a molecule of benzene, both identified in the reaction mixture.     

Preparation and characterisation of cobalt (l) acyl compounds

The new cobalt (l) acyl compounds, [Co(PMe₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 1, [Co(PPhMe₂)(CO)₃(COMe)] 2, [Co(P(4-Me-C₆H₄)₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 3 and [Co(P(4-F-C₆H₄)₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 4, have been prepared from [Na(Co(CO)₄)]. The compound [Co(PCy₃)(CO)₃(COMe)] 5 has been prepared from [Co(PCy₃)(CO)₃(Me)] 6. The crystal structures of 5 and 6 are reported.     

Bis(cyclopentadienyl)methan-verbrückte Zweikernkomplexe: II. Synthese und Reaktionen ringverbrückter Cobalt-Zweikernkomplexe mit zwei nucleophilen Metallzentren

The dinuclear cobalt complex [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co(PMe₃)₂]₂ (2), which is prepared from CoCl(PMe₃)₃ and [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂]Li₂, reacts with NH₄PF₆ and CH₃I to form the protonated and methylated dications {[CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][CoR(PMe₃)₂]₂}²⁺ (R = H, CH₃). Treatment of {[CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][CoCH₃(PMe₃)₂]₂}I₂ (4) with LiCH₃ affords the neutral compound [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co(CH₃)₂(PMe₃)]₂ (5). Ligand substitution of [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co(CO)₂]₂ (6) with P₂Me₄ and 1,2-C₂H₄(PMe₂)₂(dmpe) gives the doubly-bridged complexes [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co₂(CO)₂(μ-P₂Me₄)] (7) and [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co₂(CO)₂(μ-dmpe)] (8), respectively. Similarly, [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co-(CO)(PMe₃)]₂ (9) is obtained from the reaction of 6 with PMe₃. Oxidation of 6 with iodine gives [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co(CO)I₂]₂ (11) which is transformed via {[CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][Co(PMe₂H)₃]₂}I₄ (12) into the triply-bridged cobalt(II) complex [CH₂(C₅H₄)₂][CO₂(μ-PMe₂)₂] (13).     

Carbon-carbon coupling on tetrahedral iridium clusters: X-ray molecular structures and multinuclear NMR studies of the two isomeric forms of [Ir4(CO)6(μ3-η-HCCPh)(μ2-η-C4H2Ph2)(μ-PPh2)2]

The reactions of [HIr₄(CO)₉(Ph₂PCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)] (1) or [Ir₄(CO)₈(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (2) with HCCPh gave two isomeric forms of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh)(μ₂-η⁴-C₄H₂Ph₂)(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3 and 4) in good yields as the only products. These compounds were characterized with analytical and spectroscopic data including ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR (1 and 2D) spectroscopy and their molecular structures were established by X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibit the same distorted butterfly metal polyhedral arrangement of metal atoms with two μ-PPh₂ that occupy different positions in the structures of the two isomers. Both molecules contain a HCCPh ligand bonded in a μ₃-η²-// mode to one of the wings of the butterfly and a metallacyclic ring, which resulted from head-to-tail coupling, in the case of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (3) and tail-to-tail coupling, in that of [Ir₄(CO)₆(μ₃-η²-HCCPh){μ₂-η⁴-(H)CC(Ph)C(Ph)C(H)}(μ-PPh₂)₂] (4), and which is linked to two metal atoms of the second wing of the butterfly.     

Synthesis,structural characterisation and reactivity of molybdenum half-sandwich complexes containing keto- and amido-phosphines

The keto-functionalised N-pyrrolyl phosphine ligand PPh₂NC₄H₃{C(O)CH₃-2} L¹ reacts with [MoCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅R₅)] (R=H, Me) to give [MoCl(CO)₂(L¹-κ¹P)(η⁵-C₅R₅)] (R=H 1a; Me 1b). The phosphine ligands PPh₂CH₂C(O)Ph (L²) and PPh₂CH₂C(O)NPh₂ (L³) react with [MoCl(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅R₅)] in an analogous manner to give the compounds [MoCl(CO)₂(L-κ¹P)(η⁵-C₅R₅)] (L=L², R=H 2a, Me 2b; L=L³, R=H 3a, Me 3b). Compounds 1–3 react with AgBF₄ to give [Mo(CO)₂(L-κ²P,O)(η⁵-C₅R₅)]BF₄ (L=L¹, R=H 4a, Me 4b; L=L², R=H 5a, Me 5b; L=L³, R=H 6a, Me 6b) following displacement of chloride. The X-ray crystal structure of 4a revealed a lengthening of both Mo–P and CO bonds on co-ordination of the keto group. The lability of the co-ordinated keto or amido group has been assessed by addition of a range of phosphines to compounds 4–6. Compound 4a reacts with PMe₃, PMe₂Ph and PMePh₂ to give [Mo(CO)₂(L¹-κ¹P)(L)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]BF₄ (L=PMe₃ 7a; PMe₂Ph 7b; PMePh₂ 7c) but does not react with PPh₃, 5a reacts with PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂ and PPh₃ to give [Mo(CO)₂(L²-κ¹P)(L)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]BF₄ (L=PMe₂Ph 8b; PMePh₂ 8c; PPh₃ 8d), and 6a reacts with PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂ and PPh₃ to give [Mo(CO)₂(L³-κ¹P)(L)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]BF₄ (L=PMe₃ 10a; PMe₂Ph 10b; PMePh₂ 10c; PPh₃ 10d). No reaction was observed for the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl compounds 4b–6b with PMe₃, PMe₂Ph, PMePh₂ or PPh₃. These results are consistent with the displacement of the co-ordinated oxygen atom being influenced by the steric properties of the P,O-ligand, with PPh₃ displacing the keto group from L² but not from the bulkier L¹. In the reaction of [Mo(CO)₂(L²-κ²P,O)(η⁵-C₅H₅)]BF₄ (5a) with PMe₃ the phosphine does not displace the keto group, instead it acts as a base, with the only observed molybdenum-containing product being the enolate compound [Mo(CO)₂{PPh₂CHC(O)Ph-κ²P,O}(η⁵-C₅H₅)] 9. Compound 9 can also be formed from the reaction of 2a with BuLi or NEt₃, and a single crystal X-ray analysis has confirmed the enolate structure.