Can the Stereogenic 1,1'-Bi-2-naphtol Molecule Be Coordinated to W(VI) or Mo(VI) Peroxo Moieties?

The reaction of 1,1'-bi-2-naphtol, a well-known stereogenic 1,4-diol used in asymmetric synthesis, with molybdenum(VI) or tungsten(VI) oxoperoxo species at room temperature leads to the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond linking the two naphtol units with concomitant oxidation generating 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphtoquinone. This later compound acts as a bidentate chelating ligand towards the d(0) metal center resulting in an anionic complex, [M(C10H5O3) O(O-2)(2)](-) (M=Mo, W), that has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and IR and Raman spectroscopies. The formation of this compound raises the question as whether or not 1,1'-bi-2-naphtol can be coordinated to peroxo Mo(VI) or W(VI) centers without being oxidatively degraded.

Automated summary

1,1'-bi-2-naphthol reacts with molybdenum(VI) or tungsten(VI) at room temperature, generating 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone and forming an anionic complex.