Synthesis of Mo(CO)2(η3-PPh2(o-C6H4)C(double bond; length as m-dashO)H)2 and its reaction with C60

Reaction of Mo(CO)3(NCMe)3 and PPh2(o-C6H4)C(double bond; length as m-dashO)H (abbreviated as PCHO) at room temperature affords Mo(CO)2(η3-PCHO)2 (1), while compound 1 and the phosphine-imine complex Mo(CO)4(η2-PPh2(o-C6H4)CHdouble bond; length as m-dashNMe) (2) are obtained by using Mo(CO)3(η3-(MeNCH2)3) as the reactant. Thermal reaction of 1 with C60 products Mo(CO)2(η4-(PPh2(o-C6H4)CH)2)(η2-C60) (3) in low yield, apparently through coupling of the formyl moieties. The structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The two aldehyde groups of 1 and C60 ligand of 3 are coordinated to the molybdenum atom in a π-fashion.