Synthesis and reactions of group 6 metal half-sandwich complexes of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dichalcogenolates [(Cp*)M[E(2)C=C(CN)(2)](2)]-(M = Mo,W; E = S,Se)

A series of group 6 transition metal half-sandwich complexes with 1,1-dichalcogenide ligands have been prepared by the reactions of Cp*MCl(4)(Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5); M = Mo, W) with the potassium salt of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate, (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mnt), or the analogous seleno compound, (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mns). The reaction of Cp*MCl(4) with (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) in a 1:3 molar ratio in CH(3)CN gave rise to KCp*M(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (M = Mo, 1a, 74%; M = W, 2a, 46%). Under the same conditions, the reaction of Cp*MoCl(4) with 3 equiv of (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) afforded KCp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3a) and KCp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))] (4) in respective yields of 45% and 25%. Cation exchange reactions of 1a, 2a, and 3a with Et(4)NBr resulted in isolation of (Et(4)N)Cp*Mo(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (1b), (Et(4)N)Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (2b), and (Et(4)N)Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3b), respectively. Complex 4 crystallized with one THF and one CH(3)CN molecule as a three-dimensional network structure. Inspection of the reaction of Cp*WCl(4) with (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) by ESI-MS revealed the existence of three species in CH(3)CN, Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-, and Cp*W(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, of which Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-(5) was isolated as the main product. Treatment of 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in refluxing THF resulted in sulfur insertion and gave rise to KCp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(S(S(2))C=C(CN)(2))](6), which crystallized with two THF molecules forming a three-dimensional network structure. 6 can also be prepared by refluxing 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in THF. 3a readily added one Se atom upon treatment with 1 mol of Se powder in THF to give 4 in high yield, while the treatment of 3a or 4 with 2 equiv of Na(2)Se in THF led to formation of a dinuclear complex (Cp*Mo)(2)(mu-Se)(mu-Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2))] (7). The structure of 7 consists of two Cp*Mo units bridged by a Se(2-) and a Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2)](2-) ligand in which the triselenido group is arranged in a nearly linear way (163 degrees). The reaction of 2a with 2 equiv of CuBr in CH(3)CN yielded a trinuclear complex Cp*WCu(2)(mu-Br)(mu(3)-S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (8), which crystallized with one CH(3)CN and generated a one-dimensional chain polymer through bonding of Cu to the N of the cyano groups.