Reduction of tris(benzene-1,2-dithiolate)molybdenum(VI) by water. A functional mo-hydroxylase analogue system

Mo(VI)(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3) reacts cleanly and completely with H(2)O in THF to afford H(3)O](+)Mo(V)(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3)](-). Kinetic data were fit by the rate equation -dMo(VI)(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3)]/dt = kMo(VI)(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3)]/H(3)O(+)], which is consistent with a coupled electron-proton transfer mechanism involving a coordinated H(2)O molecule. The Mo(VI)(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3) reduction is accelerated by the presence of PPh(3) and affords OPPh(3). (18)O isotope tracing shows that H(2)O is the source of oxygen transferred to PPh(3).