Borohydride, azide, and chloride anions as terminal ligands on Fe/Mo/S clusters. Synthesis, structure and characterization of [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3) MoFe3S4(X)2]2(Bu4N)4 and [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4 (PPr3)(X)]2(Bu4N)2 (X = N3-, BH4-, Cl-) double-fused cubanes. NMR reactivity studies of [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3) MoFe3S4(BH4)2]2(Bu4N)4.

Our explorations of the reactivity of Fe/Mo/S clusters of some relevance to the FeMoco nitrogenase have led to new double-fused cubane clusters with the Mo2Fe6S8 core as derivatives of the known (Cl4-cat)2Mo2Fe6S8(PPr3)6 (I) fused double cubane. The new clusters have been obtained by substitution reactions of the PPr3 ligands with Cl-, BH4-, and N3-. By careful control of the conditions of these reactions, the clusters [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4(BH4)2]2(Bu4N)4 (II), [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4(PPr3)(BH4)]2(Bu4N)2 (III), [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4(N3)2]2(Bu4N)4 (IV), [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4(PPr3)(N3)]2(Bu4N)2 (V), and [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4Cl2]2(Et4N)4 (VI) have been obtained and structurally characterized. A study of their electrochemistry shows that the reduction potentials for the derivatives of I are shifted to more positive values than those of I, suggesting a stabilization of the reduced clusters by the anionic ligands BH4- and N3-. Using 1H NMR spectroscopy, we have explored the lability of the BH4- ligand in II in coordinating solvents and its hydridic character, which is apparent in its reactivity toward proton sources such as MeOH or PhOH.

Borohydride anions as terminal ligands on a Fe/Mo/S cluster. Synthesis, structure, and characterization of the [(Cl4-cat)(PPr3)MoFe3S4(BH4)2]2(Bu4N)4 double-fused cubane.

The synthesis and structure of the first Mo/Fe/S/BH(4) cluster is reported. Reaction of (Cl(4)-cat)(2)Mo(2)Fe(6)S(8)(PPr(3))(6) with 4 equiv of Bu(4)NBH(4) results in the formation of [(Cl(4)-cat)(PPr(3))MoFe(3)S(4)(BH(4))(2)](2)(Bu(4)N)(4) (Cl(4)-cat = tetrachloro-catecholate) which has been fully characterized. X-ray structural determination of this double-fused cubane reveals four BH(4)(-) ligands bound to four Fe atoms in a bidentate fashion. A synopsis of the solution characterization as well as the reactivity of this cluster is also presented.