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 metallaaziridine−hydride complex. The synthetic protocol involves treatment with Me3SiCCH, heating, and ligand exchange via alcoholysis; (1AdO)3MoCCH2SiMe3 is an active catalyst for alkyne metathesis at room temperature.