The reaction behavior of [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2:2-P2)] and [Cp''Ta(CO)2(η4-P4)] towards hydroxide and tert-butyl nucleophiles.

The reaction behavior of [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2:2-P2)] (1) and [Cp''Ta(CO)2(η4-P4)] (2), respectively, towards the anions OH- and tBu- are reported. While the reaction of 1 with KOH gives the anionic complex [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ-PH2)]- (3) under a formal phosphorus atom abstraction, reaction with LitBu leads to the alkylation product [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(μ,η2:1-PPtBu)]- (4). The reactions of 2 with [IDipp-H][OH] ([IDipp-H]+ = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)imidazolium) and LitBu yield [Cp''Ta(CO)2{η3-P4(O)H}]- (5) and [Cp''Ta(CO)2(η3-P4tBu)]- (6), respectively. Compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 were comprehensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis.