Reactions between CO and small molybdenum suboxide cluster anions

Area of Science:

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Molybdenum suboxide clusters are key intermediates in various chemical processes.
• Understanding their reactions with carbon monoxide is crucial for catalysis and materials science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize reaction products of small molybdenum suboxide cluster anions with carbon monoxide.
• To obtain new photoelectron (PE) spectra of these products and related species, including contaminants.

Main Methods:

• Mass spectrometry was used to identify reaction products.
• Anion photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy was employed to study the electronic structure of the anions.

Main Results:

• Several unsaturated carbonyls were identified as new terminal products.
• A refined PE spectrum of C6O6- was obtained after subtracting Fe(CO)4- contaminant.
• PE spectra of Mo(CO)5-, MoO(CO)3-, and MoO2(CO)n- (n=1, 2) were presented.
• Photodissociation of MoO(CO)3- to MoO- + 3 CO was observed.

Conclusions:

• The study expands the known reaction products of molybdenum suboxide clusters with CO.
• New spectroscopic data provide insights into the electronic properties and stability of these metal carbonyl anions.