Facile synthesis of trialkoxymolybdenum(VI) alkylidyne complexes for alkyne metathesis

Abstract

New molybdenum(VI) alkylidyne complexes (Ar[iPr]N)3MoCCH2SiMe3 (Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) and (1AdO)3MoCR (R = Me, Et, CH2SiMe3) were obtained in high yield and in multigram quantities starting from a known metallaziridine-hydride complex. The synthetic protocol involves treatment with Me3SiCCH, heating, and ligand exchange via alcoholysis;(1AdO)3MoCCH2-SiMe3 is an active catalyst for alkyne metathesis at room temperature.