Activation of dichloromethane by a V(III) thiolate complex: an example of S-based nucleophilic reactivity in an early transition metal thiolate.

A V(III) thiolate complex activated C-Cl bond in dichloromethane via S-based nucleophilic attack. The reaction products, a V(III)-Cl species (major one) and a V(IV) binding to a CH(2) containing ligand (minor one) were obtained. The work demonstrates sulfur donors in the early-transition metal thiolates having strong nucleophilic characteristics.