Synthesis and crystal structure of a tetranuclear molybdenum(II) silylamido cluster

Abstract

Treatment of molybdenum(II) chloride with the difunctional silylamide Li2Me2Si(NPh)2 led to the formation of the tetranuclear cluster compound [Mo4{Me2Si(NPh)2}4]. According to the X-ray crystal structure determination, the central core of the cluster consists of four molybdenum atoms in a nearly rectangular arrangement. There are two μ4-κ-N,N,N',N'-Me2Si(NPh)22– ligands capping the Mo4 rectangle and two μ2-Me2Si(NPh)22– ligands located at opposite edges. The alternating Mo–Mo distances of 218.1(1) and 279.5(1) pm indicate the presence of a cyclobutadiyne type cluster with alternating Mo–Mo triple and single bonds.