Dinuclear molybdenum complexes derived from diphenols: electrochemical interactions and reduced species

Abstract

The new diphenolato complexes [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)₃}Cl}₂Q] where dmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl and Q = OC₆H₄(C₆H₄O (n = 1 or 2), OC₆H₄CR=CRC₆H₄O (R = H or Et), and OC₆H₄CH=CHC₆H₄CH=CHC₆H₄O have been prepared and their electrochemical properties (cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry) compared with previously reported analogues where Q = OC₆H₄O, OC₆H₄EC₆H₄O (E = SO₂, CO and S), OC₆H₄ (CO)C₆H₄ C₆H₄(CO)C₆H₄O and 1,5- and 2,7-O₂C₁₀H₆. The electrochemical interaction between the redox centres in the new complexes is very weak, in contrast to that in the 1,4-benzenediolato and naphthalendiolato species. The EPR spectra of the reduced mixed-valence species [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)₃}Cl}₂Q]- where Q = 1,3- and 1,4-OC₆H₄O and OC₆H₄SC₆H₄O shows that they are valence-trapped at room temperature, whereas those of the dianions [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)₃}Cl}₂Q]^2- where Q = 1,4-OC₆H₄O, OC₆H₄EC₆H₄O (E = CO or S) and OC₆H₄CH=CHC₆H₄CH=CHC₆H₄O shows that the unpaired spins on each molybdenum centre are strongly correlated (J, the spin exchange integral AMo, the metal-hyperfine coupling constant). The electrochemical properties and the comproportionation constants for the reaction [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)₃} Cl}₂Q] + [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)₃}Cl}O]₂]^2-↩2[{Mo(NO) {HB(dmpz)₃}Cl}₂Q]^- where Q = diphenolato bridge, are compared with related compounds containing benzenediamido and dianilido bridges.