A localized molecular orbital study on the bonding of> Mo3S4]2Mo> and> Mo3S4]CuI> versus (C6H6)2Cr and C6H6Cr(CO)3

The energy-localized CNDO/2 molecular orbitais have been calculated for the clusters containing molybdenum, > {Mo₃S₄₂Mo}⁸⁺ and> Mo₃S₄]CuI> ⁴⁺, versus the prototype arene-metal sandwich (C₆H₆)₂Cr and half-sandwich complexes C₆H₆Cr(CO)₃. The bonding characteristics of these compounds are described from a localization bonding viewpoint. There are two typical M-arene and M-[Mo₃S₄] bondings. One is formed by electron donation from the three-center two-electron π-bonds in the arene or [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ ligands into the vacant hybrid orbitais of the “stranger” metal atom. In the other M-arene or M-[Mo₃S₄] bond there is very little donation by the lone electron pair occupying the d AOs of the “stranger” metal atom to the arene or [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ ligands. The analogy of the ligand [Mo₃S₄]⁴⁺ in the clusters studied with the ligand benzene is also briefly discussed.