Reactivity of a Cyclopentadienyl Containing Heterobimetallic Alkoxide

The synthesis of the new heteroleptic heterotrimetallic cluster, [(C₅H₅)Sn(μ-OBu^t)₂Ge(OBu^t)Mo(CO)₅] (1) has been achieved by a thermally induced CO substitution of the transition metal derivative, Mo(CO)₆, by the basic germanium atom of the cyclopentadienyl heterobimetallic alkoxide, [(C₅H₅)Sn(μ-OBu^t)₂Ge(OBu^t)]. The microanalysis, molecular weight (monomer in benzene), IR and multinuclear NMR data and X-ray diffraction study is consistent with the formulation of 1. The Sn atom has a trigonal pyramidal coordination environment formed by a aysmmterically π-bonded terminal C₅H₅ ring and two symmetrically bridged tert-butoxy groups. The four-coordinate Ge atom lies at the centre of a distorted tetrahedron and is terminally attached to a tert-butoxy group and a Mo(CO)₅5^? fragment.