Synthesis and reactivity of ditungsten helical complex W2(CO)6(μ-Ph2PCCPPh2)3

Reaction of W(CO)3(Me3tach) (Me3tach1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane) with Ph2PCCPPh2 at room temperature affords a triply-bridged complex W2(CO)6(μ-Ph2PCCPPh2)3 (1) and a vinylidene complex W2(CO)6(μ-Ph2PCCPPh2)[μ-C4H(PPh2)3] (2). Compound 2 can be obtained by treating 1 with Me3tach in dichloromethane. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are determined by an X-ray diffraction study. The structure of 1 depicts a helical M2L3 framework with an idealized D3 symmetry. The vinylidene group of 2 is not linear, with the WCC bond angle of 158.6(4)°.