Electronic localization versus delocalization: a dimetal approach

A series of dimolybdenum compounds having a Mo2 4+ core coordinated by various ligands, including formamidinate (e.g. DAniF = N, NN-di-p-ansisylformamidinate ), acetate and/or acetonitrile molecules, have been synthesized as building blocks for the construction of Mo2-containing supramolecular arrays. Compound Mo2(DAniF)3(O2CCH3) was specifically designed for the preparation of dimolybdenum pairs, whereas the others meet the needs of Mo2 4+ units for different geometry settings. Compounds described by a general formula [Mo2]L[Mo2], where [Mo2] = [Mo2(DAniF)3]+, have two dimetal units electronically coupled by the central unit L , which consequently engender significant impact on the redox property and electronic structure of the molecule. It is found that in the weakly coupled complex system, [Mo2]M(OCH3)4[Mo2] (M = Zn and Co), the mixed-valence complexes present asymmetric molecular structures with two distinct [Mo2] units corresponding to be a bond order 4.0 (F2B4*2) and 3.5 (F2B4*1), respectively. EPR and magnetic susceptibility measurements for the doubly oxidized species show that there is no significant antifferromagnetic spin coupling. Electron delocalization occurs in the complex system where a N, N'-dimethyloxamidate binds two [Mo2] units within two fused six-membered rings. In this case, the mixed-valence complex has a symmetric molecular structure, implying that the odd electron is fully delocalized over two [Mo2]units. Strong metal-metal interaction is also evidenced by intervalence charge transfer of the mixed-valence species and the diamanetism of the doubly oxidized complex. Remarkably, two isomers varying in linkage conformation, namely, alpha and beta, have been isolated as diaryloxamidate ligands are used as the linker. Studies on the neutral and the oxidized compounds of the two isomers by employing various techniques consistently show that in the alpha form intramolecular electron transfer is blocked , while in the beta form, the electrons are delocalized over the two [Mo2] units. Thus, the mixed-valence complexes of the two isomers are appropriately described by alpha-[Mo2]0(oxamidate)[Mo2]1+ and beta- [Mo2]0.5+(oxamidate)[Mo2]0.5+ respectively