Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivities of Molybdenum and Tungsten PONOP Pincer Complexes

A new series of molybdenum and tungsten tricarbonyl pincer complexes, bearing pyridine-based PONOP-type pincer ligands, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Addition of HBF4 center dot Et2O to these tricarbonyl complexes generated seven-coordinate molybdenum and tungsten hydride complexes, and these compounds have been isolated in good yields. These metal hydrides show fluxional behavior in solution. The hydride ligands on these metal complexes are acidic in nature and are readily deprotonated by bases. The molybdenum hydride complex is shown to catalyze isomerization of 1-hexene to internal isomers under mild conditions.