Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Efficient Synthesis of All-Carbon Quaternary Centers via the Conjugate Addition of Functionalized Monoorganozinc Bromides
Published on: May 26, 2019
Dichloro(1,2-dimethoxyethane)bis(tosylimido)molybdenum(VI), a versatile nitrene transfer reagent
Konstantin A Rufanov1, Burkhard Ziemer
1Institut für Chemie, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Brook-Taylor-Strasse 2, D-12489 Berlin, Germany. k_rufanov@gmx.de
This study details a novel molybdenum complex with exceptionally short Mo-Cl bonds, enhancing its Lewis acidity. This characteristic makes it a versatile reagent for nitrene transfer reactions, useful in synthesizing new compounds.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
- Crystallography
Background:
- Molybdenum complexes are crucial in catalysis.
- Understanding metal-ligand bond lengths is key to predicting reactivity.
- Nitrene transfer reagents are valuable in synthetic chemistry.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the structure of a novel bis(imido) molybdenum complex.
- To correlate structural features, specifically Mo-Cl bond lengths, with Lewis acidity.
- To evaluate the synthetic utility of the complex as a nitrene transfer reagent.
Main Methods:
- Single-crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the molecular structure and precise bond lengths.
- Spectroscopic methods for characterization (implied).
- Reactivity studies involving phosphanes and cycloolefins.
Main Results:
- The title compound [Mo(C7H7NO2S)2Cl2(C4H10O2)] was synthesized and structurally characterized.
- The Mo-Cl bond lengths were determined to be 2.3730(8) and 2.3842(8) Å.
- The shorter Mo-Cl bond is the shortest observed in analogous bis(imido) Mo complexes, indicating strong Lewis acidity.
Conclusions:
- The short Mo-Cl bond length directly correlates with enhanced Lewis acidity at the molybdenum center.
- The complex exhibits significant synthetic versatility as a nitrene transfer reagent.
- This compound serves as a potent tool for synthesizing novel organophosphorus and cyclic compounds.
Related Concept Videos
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane
Diazonium Group Substitution with Halogens and Cyanide: Sandmeyer and Schiemann Reactions
Alkenes via Reductive Coupling of Aldehydes or Ketones: McMurry Reaction
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Preparation of Nitriles
ortho–para-Directing Activators: –CH3, –OH, –⁠NH2, –OCH3

