Trans-Tetracarbonylbis(triphenylphosphane-κP)molybdenum(0)

Abstract

The well known title compound, trans-[Mo(C18H15P)2(CO)4], has not been studied previously by X-ray crystallography, unlike its cis isomer. The complex possesses crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry, with the Mo atom residing on an inversion centre (1a Wyckoff position). The two triphenylphosphane groups are arranged in a staggered orientation. Each of the phenyl groups exhibits significantly different Mo - P - C - C torsion angles ranging from 2.6(2) to 179.4(1)°, most likely due to steric interactions based upon their positions relative to the carbonyl ligands. © Waldhart and Mankad 2014.