Reduction induced S-nucleophilicity in mono-dithiolene molybdenum complexes - in situ generation of sulfonium ligands

The reduction of a molybdenum monodithiolene complex, [Mo(CO)(2)(dt)(dppe)], in the presence of dichloromethane leads to the transfer of CH2 to sulfur and respective sulfonium species. Detailed analytical and mechanistical spectroscopic and electrochemical studies reveal the reasons for the unexpected formation and composition of the very unusual resultant complexes to be electronic-energetic in nature.

Automated summary

The reduction of a molybdenum monodithiolene complex in the presence of dichloromethane leads to the transfer of CH2 to sulfur and respective sulfonium species. Detailed studies reveal that the unexpected formation and composition of the resultant complexes are electronic-energetic in nature.