Molybdenum(0)-Tricarbonyl Complex Supported by an Azacalix-pyridine Ligand: Synthesis, Characterization, Surface Deposition and Conversion to a Molybdenum(VI)-Trioxo Complex with O2.

Adsorption of metal-organic complexes on metallic surfaces to produce well-defined single site catalysts is a novel approach combining the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. To avoid the "surface trans-effect" a dome-shaped molybdenum(0) tricarbonyl complex supported by an tolylazacalix[3](2,6)pyridine ligand is synthesized. This vacuum-evaporable complex both activates CO and reacts with molecular oxygen (O2) to form a Mo(VI) trioxo complex which in turn is capable of catalytically mediating oxygen transfer. The molybdenum tricarbonyl- and trioxo complexes are investigated in the solid state, in homogeneous solution and on noble metal surfaces (Cu, Au) employing a range of spectroscopic and analytical methods.

Catalytic Ammonia Synthesis Mediated by Molybdenum Complexes with PN3P Pincer Ligands: Influence of P/N Substituents and Molecular Mechanism.

Three molybdenum trihalogenido complexes supported by different PN3P pincer ligands were synthesized and investigated regarding their activity towards catalytic N2-to-NH3 conversion. The highest yields were obtained with the H-PN3PtBu ligand. The corresponding Mo(V)-nitrido complex also shows good catalytic activity. Experiments regarding the formation of the analogous Mo(IV)-nitrido complex lead to the conclusion that the mechanism of catalytic ammonia formation mediated by the title systems does not involve N-N cleavage of a dinuclear Mo-dinitrogen complex, but follows the classic Chatt cycle.

Hafnocene-based Bicyclo[2.1.1]hexene Germylenes - Formation, Reactivity, and Structural Flexibility.

2,5-Disilylsubstituted germole dianions 1 react with hafnocene dichloride to give hafnocene-based bicyclo[2.1.1]hexene germylenes 3. Their formation proceeds via hafnocene-germylene complexes 2 that were identified by NMR and UV spectroscopy. Germylenes 3 are stabilized by homoconjugation between the empty 4p(Ge) orbital and the π-bond of the innercyclic C2═C3 double bond. This interaction can be understood as σ2, π-coordination of the butadiene part to the dicoordinated germanium atom that leaves the 16e- hafnocene moiety electronically unsaturated. We demonstrate that this new class of germylenes might serve as ligand to a variety of low-valent transition-metal complexes. The structure of the germylene ligand in complexes with Fe(0), Ni(0), and Au(I) and in reaction products with N-heterocyclic carbenes showed an intriguing structural flexibility that allows to accommodate different electronic situations at the ligating germanium atom. The origin of this structural adaptability is the interplay between the topological flexible unsaturated germanium ring and the hafnocene group.