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Molybdenum hexacarbonyl (also called molybdenum carbonyl) is the chemical compound with the formula Mo(CO)6. This colorless solid, like its chromium, tungsten, and seaborgium analogues, is noteworthy as a volatile, air-stable derivative of a metal in its zero oxidation state.

Structure and properties

Mo(CO)6 adopts an octahedral geometry consisting of six rod-like CO ligands radiating from the central Mo atom. A recurring minor debate in some chemical circles concerns the definition of an "organometallic" compound. Usually, organometallic indicates the presence of a metal directly bonded via a M–C bond to an organic fragment, which must in turn have a C–H bond.

Like many metal carbonyls, Mo(CO)6 is generally prepared by "reductive carbonylation", which involves reduction of a metal halide with under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. As described in a 2023 survey of methods "most cost-effective routes for the synthesis of group 6 hexacarbonyls are based on the reduction of the metal chlorides (CrCl3, MoCl5 or WCl6) with magnesium, zinc or aluminium powders... under CO pressures".[4]

Occurrence

Mo(CO)6 has been detected in landfills and sewage plants, the reducing, anaerobic environment being conducive to formation of Mo(CO)6.[5]

Inorganic and organometallic research

Molybdenum hexacarbonyl is a popular reagent in academic research.[6]

One or more CO ligands can be displaced by other ligands.[7] Mo(CO)6, [Mo(CO)3(MeCN)3], and related derivatives are employed as catalysts in organic synthesis for example, alkyne metathesis and the Pauson–Khand reaction.

Mo(CO)6 reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine to afford Mo(CO)4(bipy). UV-photolysis of a THF solution of Mo(CO)6 gives Mo(CO)5(THF).

[Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2]

The thermal reaction of Mo(CO)6 with piperidine affords Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2. The two piperidine ligands in this yellow-colored compound are labile, which allows other ligands to be introduced under mild conditions. For instance, the reaction of [Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2] with triphenyl phosphine in boiling dichloromethane (b.p. ca. 40 °C) gives cis-[Mo(CO)4(PPh3)2]. This cis- complex isomerizes in toluene to trans-[Mo(CO)4(PPh3)2].[8]

[Mo(CO)3(MeCN)3]

Mo(CO)6 also can be converted to its tris(acetonitrile) derivative. The compound serves as a source of "Mo(CO)3". For instance treatment with allyl chloride gives [MoCl(allyl)(CO)2(MeCN)2], whereas treatment with KTp and sodium cyclopentadienide gives [MoTp(CO)3] and [MoCp(CO)3] anions, respectively. These anions react with a variety of electrophiles.[9] A related source of Mo(CO)3 is cycloheptatrienemolybdenum tricarbonyl.

Source of Mo atoms

Molybdenum hexacarbonyl is widely used in electron beam-induced deposition technique - it is easily vaporized and decomposed by the electron beam providing a convenient source of molybdenum atoms.[10]

Safety and handling

Like all metal carbonyls, Mo(CO)6 is a dangerous source of volatile metal as well as CO.

References

  1. ^ "Hexacarbonylmolybdenum (CHEBI:30508)". Chemical Entities of Biological Interest (ChEBI). UK: European Bioinformatics Institute.
  2. ^ Faller, John W.; Brummond, Kay M.; Mitasev, Branko (15 September 2006). "Hexacarbonylmolybdenum". Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. Wiley. doi:10.1002/047084289X. hdl:10261/236866. ISBN 9780470842898.
  3. ^ Even, J.; Yakushev, A.; Dullmann, C. E.; Haba, H.; Asai, M.; Sato, T. K.; Brand, H.; Di Nitto, A.; Eichler, R.; Fan, F. L.; Hartmann, W.; Huang, M.; Jager, E.; Kaji, D.; Kanaya, J.; Kaneya, Y.; Khuyagbaatar, J.; Kindler, B.; Kratz, J. V.; Krier, J.; Kudou, Y.; Kurz, N.; Lommel, B.; Miyashita, S.; Morimoto, K.; Morita, K.; Murakami, M.; Nagame, Y.; Nitsche, H.; et al. (2014). "Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex". Science. 345 (6203): 1491–3. Bibcode:2014Sci...345.1491E. doi:10.1126/science.1255720. PMID 25237098. S2CID 206558746. (subscription required)
  4. ^ Bruno, Sofia M.; Valente, Anabela A.; Gonçalves, Isabel S.; Pillinger, Martyn (2023). "Group 6 Carbonyl Complexes of N,O,P-Ligands as Precursors of High-Valent Metal-Oxo Catalysts for Olefin Epoxidation". Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 478: 214983. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214983. hdl:10773/40120. S2CID 255329673.
  5. ^ Feldmann, J. (1999). "Determination of Ni(CO)4, Fe(CO)5, Mo(CO)6, and W(CO)6 in Sewage Gas by Using Cryotrapping Gas Chromatography Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry". Journal of Environmental Monitoring. 1 (1): 33–37. doi:10.1039/a807277i. PMID 11529076.
  6. ^ Faller, J. W.; Brummond, K. M.; Mitasev, B. (2006). "Hexacarbonylmolybdenum". In Paquette, L. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Reagents for Organic Synthesis. New York: J. Wiley & Sons. doi:10.1002/047084289X.rh004.pub2. ISBN 0471936235.
  7. ^ "THE SYNTHESIS & SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERISATION OF METAL CARBONYL COMPLEXES" (PDF). www.chm.bris.ac.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 9, 2008.
  8. ^ Darensbourg, D. J.; Kump, R. L. (1978). "A Convenient Synthesis of cis-Mo(CO)4L2 Derivatives (L = Group 5a Ligand) and a Qualitative Study of Their Thermal Reactivity toward Ligand Dissociation". Inorg. Chem. 17 (9): 2680–2682. doi:10.1021/ic50187a062.
  9. ^ Elschenbroich, C.; Salzer, A. (1992). Organometallics: A Concise Introduction (2nd ed.). Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. ISBN 3-527-28165-7.
  10. ^ Randolph, S. J.; Fowlkes, J. D.; Rack, P. D. (2006). "Focused, Nanoscale Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition and Etching". Critical Reviews of Solid State and Materials Sciences. 31 (3): 55–89. Bibcode:2006CRSSM..31...55R. doi:10.1080/10408430600930438. S2CID 93769658.

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