Arene–molybdenum chemistry: diprotonation of arenetris(tertiary phosphine)molybdenum compounds

Abstract

The compounds [(arene)Mo(PR3)]3[(I) : arene = benzene, R = Et; arene = mesitylene (mst), R = Me] have been prepared. They are readily protonated by dilute aqueous acids forming the cations [(arene) Mo(PR3)3H]+, (II), and with concentrated aqueous acids further protonation gives [(arene) Mo(PR3)3H2]2+, (III). Analogous diprotonated cations (arene = benzene, R3= Ph2Me or PhMe2) are also described.