Electronic structure, spectroscopic properties, and reactivity of molybdenum and tungsten nitrido and imido complexes with diphosphine coligands: influence of the trans ligand

A series of molybdenum and tungsten nitrido, M(N)(X)(diphos)2], and imido complexes, M(NH)(X)(diphos)2)]Y, (M = Mo, W) with diphosphine coligands (diphos = dppe/depe), various trans ligands (X = N3-, Cl-, NCCH3) and different counterions (Y-= Cl-, BPh4-) is investigated. These compounds are studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopies; they are also studied with isotope-substitution and optical-absorption, as well as emission, spectroscopies. In the nitrido complexes with trans-azido and -chloro coligands, the metal-N stretch is found at about 980 cm(-1); upon protonation, it is lowered to about 920 cm(-1). The 1A1 --> 1E (n --> pi) electronic transition is observed for Mo(N)(N3)(depe)2] at 398 nm and shows a progression in the metal-N stretch of 810 cm(-1). The corresponding 3E --> 1A (pi --> n) emission band is observed at 542 nm, exhibiting a progression in the metal-N stretch of 980 cm(-1). In the imido system Mo(NH)(N3)(depe)2]BPh4, the n --> pi transition is shifted to lower energy (518 nm) and markedly decreases in intensity. In the trans-nitrile complex Mo(N)(NCCH3)(dppe)2]BPh4, the metal-N(nitrido) stretching frequency increases to 1016 cm(-1). The n --> pi transition now is found at 450 nm, shifting to 525 nm upon protonation. Most importantly, the reduction of this nitrido trans-nitrile complex is drastically facilitated compared to its counterparts with anionic trans-ligands (Epred = -1.5 V vs Fc+/Fc). On the other hand, the basicity of the nitrido group is decreased (pKa{Mo(NH)(NCCH3)(dppe)2](BPh4)2} = 5). The implications of these findings with respect to the Chatt cycle are discussed.