Molybdenum/cobalt/sulfur clusters: Models and precursors for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts

Sulfido clusters which incorporate molybdenum and a late transition metal, e.g. iron, cobalt or nickel, are readily prepared by the reactions of Cp₂Mo₂S₄, Cp₂Mo₂S₂(SR)₂ or Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₂(SR)₂ with Fe₂(CO)₉, Co₂(CO)₈, Ni(CO)₄, Cp₂Ni, etc. The homogeneous reactions of the cluster Cp₂Mo₂Co₂S₃(CO)₄ with thiols, thiophene, and phosphines are reviewed, as are some reactions of the clusters with metal oxide surfaces to produce heterogeneous catalysts for CO hydrogenation or hydrodesulfurization.     

Crystal and molecular structure of (μ-η2,η3-propargyl)- bis(cyclopentadienyl)tetracarbonyldimolybdenum tetrafluoroborate and (μ-η2,η3-1,1-dimethylpropargyl)- bis(cyclopentadienyl)tetracarbonyldimolybdenum tetrafluoroborate

An X-ray study of [(μ-η²,η³-HCCCH₂)Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄]⁺(BF₄⁻) (1) and [(μ-η²,η³-HCCCMe₂)Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄]⁺(BF₄⁻) (2) reveals their structures to be similar to the structure of neutral compounds of the series (μ-η²,η²-RCCR)Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄, the difference between 1 and 2 being mainly due to the markedly different MoC⁺ bond lengths, which accounts for different stability and fluxional behavior of these compounds in solution.     

The Potential of Molybdenum Complexes Bearing Unsubstituted Heterodiatomic Group 15 Elements as Linkers in Supramolecular Chemistry

The reactions of tetrahedral molybdenum complexes bearing unsubstituted heterodiatomic Group 15 elements, [Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ,η²:η²‐PE)] (Cp=C₅H₅; E=As ( 1 ), Sb ( 2 )), with Cu^I halides afforded seven unprecedented neutral supramolecular assemblies. Depending on the Mo₂PE units and the Cu^I halide, the oligomers [?{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η²:η¹‐PE}?₄?{CuX}{Cu(μ‐X)}?₂] (E=As (X=Cl ( 3 ), Br ( 4 )); E=Sb (X=Cl ( 6 ), Br ( 7 ))) or the 1D coordination polymers [{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η¹:η¹‐PAs}{Cu(μ‐I)}]_n ( 5 ) and [{Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄}{μ₄,η²:η²:η²:η¹‐PSb}₂{Cu(μ‐X)}₃]_n (X=I ( 8 ), Br ( 9 )) are accessible. These solid‐state aggregates are the first and only examples featuring the organometallic heterodiatomic Mo₂PE complexes 1 and 2 as linking moieties. DFT calculations demonstrate that complexes 1 and 2 present a unique class of mixed‐donor ligands coordinating to Cu^I centers via the P lone pair and the P?E σ‐bond, revealing an unprecedented coordination mode.     

Reactivity of the unsaturated dimolybdenum anion [Mo2(η-C5H5)2(μ-PCy2)(μ-CO)2] towards electrophiles based on p- and d-block elements

The 30-electron binuclear anion [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)₂]⁻ reacts with the chlorophosphite ClP(OEt)₂ or the organotin chlorides Cl₂SnPh₂ or ClSnPh₃ to give compounds of the formula trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-E)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂], (E = P(OEt)₂, SnPh₃, SnPh₂Cl). In contrast, this anion reacts with the organosilicon chlorides ClSiR₃ (R = Ph, Me) to give unstable silyloxycarbyne-bridged complexes [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(μ-COSiR₃)(μ-CO)], which rapidly hydrolyze to give the known hydride [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂]. Two main types of products were also observed in the reactions of the title anion with different chlorocomplexes of the transition and post-transition metals. Thus, the reactions with [MCl₂Cp₂] (M = Ti, Zr) give moisture-sensitive isocarbonyl-bridged complexes of the type [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-COMClCp₂)(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)]. In contrast, softer metallic electrophiles such as [AuCl(PR₃)] (R = ⁱPr, ptol) react with the anion at the dimolybdenum site to form new trimetallic clusters of the formula [AuMo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂(PR₃)], also retaining a Mo−Mo triple bond. Subsequent reactions of the latter products with the solvate complexes [Au(PR₃)(THF)][PF₆] give the tetranuclear clusters [Au₂Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂(PR₃)₂][PF₆] (Mo−Mo = 2.5674(3) Å and Au−Au = 2.7832(2) Å when R = ⁱPr). Finally, the reaction of the title anion with HgI₂ gives the pentanuclear cluster [Hg{Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂}₂] or the trinuclear cluster [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-HgI)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] depending on the stoichiometry being actually used for the reaction. The trinuclear species is only stable in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and decomposes to give a mixture of the dimeric species [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-HgI)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂]₂ along with variable amounts of the known iodide-bridged complex [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-I)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂].     

Reaktivität der M-M-mehrfachbindung in metallcarbonyl-derivaten: VII. Aktivierung von carbodiimiden durch [η-C5H5(CO)2Mo]2 als μ(η1:η2) ligand unter erhalt der Mo—Mo-Dreifachbindung

The reaction of Cp(CO)₂MoMo(CO)₂Cp (Cp = η-C₅H₅) with an excess of carbodiimides RN=C=NR′ results in the substitution of two carbonyl groups to give the new asymmetrically bridged complexes Cp₂(CO)₂Mo₂μ(η¹:η²-RN=C=NR′) with Cp₂(CO)₄Mo₂μ(η¹:η²-CNR) complexes as by products.     

The analysis of the near IR of some organic and organometallic compounds by photoacoustic spectroscopy

The photoacoustic spectrum (PAS) was measured in the near IR region (1000 to 2600 nm) for organic compounds (C₆H₆, C₆D₆, C₇H₈, and C₆H₁₂) and organometallic compounds (Cp₂Fe, Cp₂Fe₂(CO)₄, Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄, Cp₄Fe₄S₄, C₆H₆Cr(CO)₃, CpCo(C₄Ph₄) and CpCo(CO)₂). Band assignments were made by comparison to the infrared spectra. The bands were assigned as the CH overtone stretch and combinations of CH and other IR fundamentals. These bands provide fingerprint spectra for these compounds.     

Electron-deficient molybdenum/cobalt/sulfido clusters: Chemistry related to hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysis

The author's work on the reactions of Cp₂Mo₂Co₂S₃(CO)₄ (1) and Cp₂Mo₂ Co₂S₄(CO)₂ (2) with organosulfur compounds is reviewed. Reaction pathways that lead to C S bond scission are proposed, and the relexance of these results to HDS reactions mer commercial CoMoS catalysts is discussed.     

Dithiolene transfer from nickel to a dimolybdenum centre: the first dithiolene alkyne complex

Transfer of dithiolene ligands from [Ni(S₂C₂Ph₂)₂] to the dimolybdenum complex [Mo₂(μ-C₂R₂)(CO)₄Cp₂] (R=CO₂Me, Cp=η-C₅H₅) affords the first example of a dithiolene alkyne complex, [Mo₂(μ-C₂R₂)(μ-S₂C₂Ph₂)₂Cp₂], together with [Mo₂(μ-SCRCR)(μ-SCPhCPh)Cp₂] in which sulfur transfer from dithiolene to alkyne has occurred.     

Tetraammonium Diglycinyl‐octamolybdate(VI) Dihydrate, (NH4)4[(NH3CH2CO)2(Mo8O28)] · 2 H2O

The reaction of ammonium heptamolybdate with hydrazine sulfate in an aqueous solution of glycine at room temperature yielded colorless crystals of (NH₄)₄[(NH₃CH₂CO)₂(Mo₈O₂₈)] · 2 H₂O. The crystal is monoclinic, space group C2/c (no. 15), a = 17.234 Å, b = 10.6892 Å, c = 18.598 Å, β = 108.280°, V = 3253.2 ų, Z = 4. The crystal structure contains ammonium cations and isolated octamolybdate(4–) anions, [(NH₃CH₂CO)₂(Mo₈O₂₈)]^4–, with two zwitterionic glycine molecules as ligands.     

Darstellung und reaktivität von zweikernigen pentamethylcyclopentadienyloxomolybdänsulfiden

Reaction of Cp^*₂Mo₂S₄ (Cp^*  η⁵C₅Me₅) with oxygen yields two isomers of Cp^*₂Mo₂OS₃ and Cp^*₂Mo₂O₂S₂, the constitution of which is determined by means of IR, ¹H and ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray diffraction analysis. The sulfur liberated in this reaction is oxidized and incorporated into an unusually coordinated μ,η¹-thiosulfate ligand of the compound [Cp^*₂Mo₂(μ,η²-S₂)(μ-S)(υ,η¹-S₂O₃)]. The reaction of all of these compounds with (CO)₅Cr(THF) and (CH₃CN)₃Cr(CO)₃, respectively, gives clusters either containing a trigonal-bipyramidal Mo₂CrS₂ or a cubane-like Mo₂Cr₂O_nS_4-n skeleton (n = 1,2) with five metal-metal bonds. This reaction enables the straightforward incorporation of oxygen atoms into 62-e heterocubane clusters and thus the investigation of ⁹⁵Mo chemical shifts of mixed oxo/thio-heterocubanes by means of NMR spectroscopy.     

Reaktionen von Cyclostibanen (RSb)n [R = (Me3Si)2CH,n = 3; Me3CCH2, n = 4, 5] mit den Übergangsmetallcarbonyl‐Komplexen [W(CO)5(thf)], [CpxMn(CO)2(thf)], [CpxCr(CO)3]2 und [Co2(CO)8]; Cpx = MeC5H4

Reactions of Cyclostibanes, (RSb)_n [R = (Me₃Si)₂CH, n = 3; Me₃CCH₂, n = 4, 5] with the Transition Metal Carbonyl Complexes [W(CO)₅(thf)], [Cp^xMn(CO)₂(thf)], [Cp^xCr(CO)₃]₂, and [Co₂(CO)₈]; Cp^x = MeC₅H₄ (RSb)₃ [R = (Me₃Si)₂CH] reacts with [W(CO)₅(thf)], [Cp^xMn(CO)₂(thf)], or [Co₂(CO)₈] to give [(RSb)₃W(CO)₅] ( 1 ), [RSb{Mn(CO)₂Cp^x}₂] ( 2 ) or [RSbCo(CO)₃]₂ ( 3 ). The reaction of (R′Sb)_n (n = 4, 5; R′ = Me₃CCH₂) with [Cp^xCr(CO)₃]₂ leads to [(R′Sb)₄{Cr(CO)₂Cp^x}₂] ( 4 ); Cp^x = MeC₅H₄, thf = Tetrahydrofuran.     

Reductions of metal carbonyls by quaternary ammonium borohydrides

Quaternary ammonium borohydrides, used directly or generated in phase transfer reactions, are highly effective reagents for preparing metal carbonyl anions from metal carbonyls [Mo(CO)₆, Mn₂(CO)₁₀, Re₂(CO)₁₀, CO₂(CO)₈, Fe₃(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Mo₂(CO)₆] and from some metal carbonyl halides [BrMn(CO)₅ and η⁵-C₅H₅Mo(CO)₃Cl]. Where strongly basic anions would be formed from a halide [BrMn(CO)₄PPh₃ and η⁵-C₅H₅Ru(CO)₂Br], the reactions provide efficient syntheses of the corresponding hydrides instead. The anion η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂^? is not accessible by these techniques; reaction of η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂Br yields the iron dimer (via the highly nucleophilic anion) and the dimer is unreactive toward Q⁺BH₄^?. Reductions of Re₂(CO)₁₀ conducted in CH₂Cl₂ provide Re₂(CO)₉Cl^? in high yield.     

A Class of Trinuclear Clusters with Carbonyl Bridging

The impetus for this work was the structure of a trinuclear complex with two carbonyl groups showing incipient triple bridging - Cp₂Rh₃(CO)₄^?. Its structure, barrier to rotation of one Rh(CO)₂^? piece vs. the rest of the molecule, and the nature of the bridging carbonyl interaction are analyzed. Isolobal analogies form an interesting connection between this complex and a bridged isomer of the recently synthesized carbene complexes, Cp₂Rh₂(CO)₂CR₂, one isomer of Cp₂Rh₃(CO)₃, and hypothetical carbyne complexes Cp₂Rh₂(CO)₂CH^+,?. A general bonding model for Cp₂Rh₂(μ-CO)₂X complexes is constructed. The model, rich in geometrical detail, allows minima for the bridging carbonyl groups bending toward and away from the bonded ligand X.     

Ligand shift in mixed-cluster complexes: synthesis of alkyne-bridged Co2Mo2 clusters with two triply-bridging sulphur atoms: crystal structure of [Co2Mo2(η5-Cp)2(μ3-S)2(μ4-CF3C2Me)(CO)4]

Reaction of the complexes [(CO)₃Co(μ-RC₂R′)Co(CO)₃] (R = R′ = CF₃; R = Ph, CF₃ and R′ = H) with the MoMo dinuclear derivative [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₂(CO)₂] leads to cleavage of both CS and CH bonds with the formation of closo-octahedral Mo₂CO₂C₂ clusters stabilised by a μ₄-η²-bound alkyne. An X-ray diffraction study has shown that the two Mo₂Co faces of the octahedron are capped by triply-bridging sulphur atoms.     

Carbonyl complexes of molybdenum and tungsten with sulfur donors: V. Reactions of carbonyl complexes of molybdenum(0) with uninegative (X,Y)-donor ligands (X,Y = S,N, O)

The reactions of the zerovalent carbonyl complexes Mo(CO)₆ and Mo(CO)₄(bipy) with a series of uninegative bidentate (X,Y)-donor ligands (X,Y = xanthates, dithiocarbamates, o-aminophenoxide, o-aminothiophenoxide, 2-picolinate and thioacetate) lead to new anionic tetracarbonyl complex anions [Mo⁰(X,Y)(CO)₄]^?. These anions, which can be isolated as their tetraphenylphosphonium salts, contain the (X,Y)-ligand as a bidentate group. In the case of (X,Y) = monothioacetate the decarbonylated species [PPh₄][Mo^II(TA)₃] is formed. The reacions of the new complexes with allyl bromide and methyl iodide are described.     

Chemie der Isoblausäure. VIII. Protonierung eines ‚mobilen’︁ Cyanoliganden: cis-[(μ-CNH2)Fe2Cp2(CO)3]X (X = Cl,BF4, PF6, I)

Chemistry of Hydrogen Isocyanide. VIII. Protonation of a ‘Mobile’ Cyano Ligand: cis-[μ-CNH₂)Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₃]X (X = Cl, BF₄, PF₆, I) . Protonation of the terminal cyano ligand in the complex cis-Na[Fe₂(CN)Cp₂(CO)₃] affords the N-diprotonated produkt [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₃(μ-CNH₂)]⁺ X^? (X = Cl, BF₄, PF₆, I) exclusively; the structure of the chloride has been determined by X-ray analysis.     

Reactivity of the 30-electron dimolybdenum anion [Mo2(η-C5H5)2(μ-PCy2)(μ-CO)2] towards β,γ-unsaturated organic halides: Alkenyl, allenyl and alkoxycarbyne derivatives

The 30-electron dimolybdenum anion [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)₂]⁻ reacts at room temperature with allyl chloride to give the unsaturated σ:π-bonded alkenyl derivative trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CMeCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂], this requiring a 2,1-hydrogen shift in the allyl moiety probably induced by the unsaturated nature of the dimetal center. In a similar way, the dimolybdenum anion reacts with trans-1-chloro-2-butene (crotyl chloride) to give a mixture of the alkenyl complexes trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CEtCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] and trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CMeCHMe)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] in a 3:2 ratio, which could not be separated by column chromatography. All these alkenyl species exhibit a dynamic behavior in solution (fast on the NMR timescale even at low temperatures) involving alternative π-bonding of the alkenyl ligand to each metal center. In contrast, the title anion reacts with propargyl chloride (ClCH₂-CCH) without further rearrangement of the propargyl moiety, to afford the allenyl derivative trans-[Mo₂Cp₂{μ-η²:η³-CH₂CCH)}(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂] as the major species. Acryloyl chloride (ClC(O)-CHCH₂) also reacts with the title anion to give a mixture of two products, the carbyne complex [Mo₂Cp₂{μ-COC(O)CHCH₂}(μ-PCy₂)(μ-CO)] and the vinyl trans-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CHCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₂], in a 1:1 ratio. This reaction is a unique case in which a single electrophile can attack both nucleophilic positions in the dimolybdenum anion, these being located at the O(carbonyl) and metal sites, respectively. The formation of the vinyl derivative requires the decarbonylation of a metal-bound acryloyl group, which proved to be an irreversible reaction, since the addition of CO to the above alkenyl complex gave instead the tricarbonyl vinyl derivative cis-[Mo₂Cp₂(μ-η¹:η²-CHCH₂)(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₃]. The structure of this electron-precise complex was confirmed through a single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (Mo−Mo = 3.0858(7) Å).     

Reactions of dipropargyl manolate,terephthalate with Co2(CO)8, Mo2Cp2(CO)4 and RuCo2(CO)11 give the di or tetranuclear clusters. The crystal structure of [CH2(CO2CH2C2H-μ)2][Co2(CO)6]2 and [p-(HC2CH2OCO)C6H4(CO2CH2C2H-μ)][Co2(CO)6]

The reactions of dipropargyl manolate and terephthalate, respectively, with Co₂(CO)₈ in THF at room temperature gave four new compounds [R(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)₂][Co₂(CO)₆]₂ (R=CH₂, 1a; R=C₆H₄, 1b) and [(HC₂CH₂OCO)R(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)][Co₂(CO)₆] (R=CH₂, 2a; R=C₆H₄-1,4-, 2b), and compounds 2a and b reacted with RuCo₂(CO)₁₁ to form two new linked clusters [R(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)₂][Co₂(CO)₆][RuCo₂(CO)₉] (R=CH₂, 3a; R=C₆H₄-1,4-, 3b). The treatment of two dipropargyl esters, respectively, with RuCo₂(CO)₁₁ afforded another two new clusters [R(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)₂][RuCo₂(CO)₉]₂ (R=CH₂, 4a; R=C₆H₄-1,4-, 4b). The reactions of dipropargyl manolate, terephalate with Mo₂Cp₂(CO)₄ gave rise to the formation of dinuclear complexes [(HC₂CH₂OCO)R(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)][Mo₂Cp₂(CO)₄] (R=CH₂, 5a; R=C₆H₄-1,4-, 5b), compound 5a reacted with Co₂(CO)₈ to produce the cluster [CH₂(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)₂][Co₂(CO)₆][Mo₂Cp₂(CO)₄] 6a. All the new clusters have been characterized by C/H elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies. The structure of [CH₂(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)₂][Co₂(CO)₆]₂ 1a and [p-(HC₂CH₂OCO)C₆H₄(CO₂CH₂C₂H-μ)][Co₂(CO)₆] 2b have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods.     

Activation of propargylic alcohols by dimolybdenum tris(μ-thiolate) complexes: Influence of the substituents R in HCCCR2(OH)-vinylidene/allenylidene transformation. Reactivity of allenylidene complexes

Reaction of the bis(nitrile) complex [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(NCMe)₂](BF₄) (1) with dimethylpropargylic alcohol, HCCCMe₂(OH), at room temperature in dichloromethane produced good yields of the μ-alkynol species [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-CHCCMe₂(OH)}](BF₄) (2a) through replacement of the two acetonitrile ligands in 1 by the alkynol. The NMR spectra of 2a indicate a μ-η¹:η¹ coordination mode for the alkyne which is thereby incorporated into a dimetallacyclobutene ring like that found here by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the related complex [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹:η¹-CHCCO₂Me)](BPh₄) (2b). When 2a was stirred with Et₃N at room temperature in dichloromethane, deprotonation gave high yields of the μ-3-hydroxyalkynyl derivative [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCCMe₂(OH)}] (3), together with small amounts of the already-known vinylacetylide [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCC(Me)CH₂}] (4) resulting from dehydration of 3. Treatment of 3 with 1 equiv. of HBF₄ · OEt₂ in diethyl ether at room temperature gave the 3-hydroxyvinylidene derivative [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCHCMe₂(OH)}](BF₄) (5) as the major product, together with other minor products [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCHC(Me)CH₂}](BF₄) (6), [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹:η²-CCCMe₂)](BF₄) (7), [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹:η²-CCH₂)](BF₄) (8), [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCH(CHMe₂)}](BF₄) (9) and [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-O)](BF₄) (10). The vinylidene (6) and allenylidene (7) species resulted from dehydration of the 3-hydroxyvinylidene complex 5 whereas the vinylidene derivative 8 was formed by deketonisation of 5. When 3 reacted with a large excess of HBF₄ · OEt₂ in dichloromethane, the 3-isopropylvinylidene complex 9 was obtained nearly quantatively via a H radical process. When left for several days CD₂Cl₂ solutions of 5 afforded mainly the vinylidene species 8 by deketonisation and the side-oxoproduct [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-O)](BF₄) (10) by hydrolysis or reaction with oxygen. Addition of nucleophiles (H⁻, OMe⁻, OH⁻, SMe⁻) to the allenylidene complex [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹:η²-CCCPh₂)](BF₄) (11) resulted in the formation of the corresponding μ-acetylide derivatives [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹:η²-CCCRPh₂)] [R = H (12), OMe (16a), OH (17), SMe (16b)], which by further reaction with tetrafluoroboric acid afforded either the vinylidene species [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃{μ-η¹:η²-CCH(CRPh₂)}](BF₄) when R = H (13), or the starting complex 11 when R is a leaving group (OMe). Reaction of 13 with Na(BH₄) gave the μ-alkylidyne complex [Mo₂Cp₂(μ-SMe)₃(μ-η¹-CCH₂CPh₂H)] (14) by nucleophilic attack of H⁻ at the C_β carbon atom of the vinylidene chain. Proton addition at C_α in 14 led to the formation of a μ-vinylidene compound 15 containing an agostic C-H bond. New complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods, supplemented for 2b and 3 by X-ray diffraction studies.