Synthesis and X-ray structure of the new Mo diselenido complex with hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate coligand [Et4N][TpMo(CO)2(η2-Se2)]

Reaction of the Mo(0) complex [Et4N][TpMo(CO)3] (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) with red Se in MeCN at 50 °C afforded the Mo(II) diselenido complex [Et4N][TpMo(CO)2(η2-Se2)] (2), whose structure has been determined in detail by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. By treatment with MeOSO2CF3 in MeCN, 2 was converted into the selenido-bridged dimolybdenum complex [{TpMo(CO)2}2(μ-Se)] with concomitant formation of MeSeSeMe.