MS2(Me2PC2H4PMe2)2 (M = Mo, W): acid-base properties, proton transfer, and reversible protonolysis of sulfido ligands

The acid-base reactivity of MS(2)(dmpe)(2), where M = Mo (1) and W (2) and dmpe = Me(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PMe(2), was examined. Compounds 1 and 2 arise via the one-pot reaction of (NH(4))(2)MS(4) and dmpe. Protonation of these species gives the stable salts MS(SH)(dmpe)(2)]X. The pK(a)'s of the Mo and W compounds are estimated to be 16.5 and 15.5, respectively. Protonation causes the M=S distances to diverge from 2.24 A to 2.06 and 2.57 A, whereas the Mo-P distances do not change appreciably. (1)H and (31)P NMR studies for 1H]BAr(F)(4) reveal that the proton exchange is competitive with the NMR time scale; at low temperatures, individual signals for both the parent disulfide and its conjugate acid can be observed. Treatment of 1 with excess HOTf liberates H(2)S to afford MoS(OTf)(dmpe)(2)]OTf, which forms an adduct with CD(3)CN and regenerates 1 upon treatment with SH(-)/Et(3)N solutions. Consistent with its ready protonation, complex 1 is methylated, and the use of excess MeOTf gives MoS(OTf)(dmpe)(2)](+) and Me(2)S in a rare example of double alkylation at a sulfido ligand.