Synthesis, Structure, and Protonation Studies of Cp*MH 3 (dppe) (M = Mo, W). Pseudo-Trigonal-Prismatic vs Pseudo-Octahedral Structures for Half-Sandwich Group 6 M(IV) Derivatives

International audienceThe compounds Cp*MH3(dppe) (M = Mo, 1; W, 2) are accessible in good yields from reacting the corresponding compound Cp*MCl4 and LiAlH4 in toluene/Et2O followed by methanolysis. The X-ray structure of 1 shows a pseudo-trigonal-prismatic geometry which is unprecedented for half-sandwich CpML5-type compounds. Protonation with HBF4·Et2O in Et2O at low temperature affords [Cp*MH4(dppe)]+BF4- salts (M = Mo, 3; W, 4). While 3 spontaneously decomposes, even at low temperatures, in coordinating solvents and CH2Cl2, 4 is stable at room temperature in MeCN. An X-ray structure of 4 is consistent with a classical tetrahydrido species with a distorted pseudo-pentagonal-bipyramidal structure. The low-temperature NMR properties, JHD ≤ 1 Hz for 4-d3, and the T1(min) value for the hydride resonance are also consistent with this structural assignment. Decomposition of 3 in MeCN at room temperature selectively affords [Cp*MoH2(MeCN)(dppe)]+BF4-, 5. The NMR properties of this complex indicate a fluxional structure with inequivalent H and P nuclei and are consistent with a pseudo-trigonal-prismatic structure analogous to that of the precursor 1. Further protonation of 5 in MeCN or direct protonation of 1 with excess acid in MeCN affords two isomers of complex [Cp*MoH(MeCN)2(dppe)](BF4)2, 6 and 7. Thermal treatment in MeCN slowly converts 7 into 6 initially, but both isomers further transform into a third isomer, 8, upon prolonged heating. The structure of 6 has been elucidated by X-ray crystallography and consists of a highly distorted pseudo-octahedral geometry with relative trans MeCN ligands. The structures of 7 and 8 and mechanisms of the interconversions between the various isomeric structures are proposed on the basis of the solution NMR studies