A new versatile binuclear seven-coordinate complex of molybdenum(II), [(μ-Cl)2{Mo(μ-Cl)(SnCl3)(CO)3}2]2−

The two new seven-coordinate anionic complexes of molybdenum(II), binuclear [(μ-Cl)2{Mo(μ-Cl)(SnCl3)(CO)3}2]2− and mononuclear [MoCl3(GeCl3)(CO)3]2−, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The binuclear complex exhibits a unique mode of reactivity towards norbornene. In a strictly anhydrous atmosphere the binuclear complex effectively initiates the ring-opening metathesis polymerization reaction of norbornene, but in the presence of water norbornene is efficiently transformed to the binorbornyl ether (C7H11)2O.