Molybdenum hexacarbonyl (also called molybdenum carbonyl) is the chemical compound with the formula Mo(CO)6. This colorless solid, like its chromium, tungsten, and seaborgium analogues, is noteworthy as a volatile, air-stable derivative of a metal in its zero oxidation state.
Structure and properties
Mo(CO)6 adopts an octahedral geometry consisting of six rod-like CO ligands radiating from the central Mo atom. A recurring minor debate in some chemical circles concerns the definition of an "organometallic" compound. Usually, organometallic indicates the presence of a metal directly bonded via a M–C bond to an organic fragment, which must in turn have a C–H bond.
Like many metal carbonyls, Mo(CO)6 is generally prepared by "reductive carbonylation", which involves reduction of a metal halide with under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. As described in a 2023 survey of methods "most cost-effective routes for the synthesis of group 6 hexacarbonyls are based on the reduction of the metal chlorides (CrCl3, MoCl5 or WCl6) with magnesium, zinc or aluminium powders... under CO pressures".[4]
Occurrence
Mo(CO)6 has been detected in landfills and sewage plants, the reducing, anaerobic environment being conducive to formation of Mo(CO)6.[5]
Inorganic and organometallic research
Molybdenum hexacarbonyl is a popular reagent in academic research.[6]
Mo(CO)6 reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine to afford Mo(CO)4(bipy). UV-photolysis of a THF solution of Mo(CO)6 gives Mo(CO)5(THF).
[Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2]
The thermal reaction of Mo(CO)6 with piperidine affords Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2. The two piperidine ligands in this yellow-colored compound are labile, which allows other ligands to be introduced under mild conditions. For instance, the reaction of [Mo(CO)4(piperidine)2] with triphenyl phosphine in boilingdichloromethane (b.p. ca. 40 °C) gives cis-[Mo(CO)4(PPh3)2]. This cis- complex isomerizes in toluene to trans-[Mo(CO)4(PPh3)2].[8]
[Mo(CO)3(MeCN)3]
Mo(CO)6 also can be converted to its tris(acetonitrile) derivative. The compound serves as a source of "Mo(CO)3". For instance treatment with allyl chloride gives [MoCl(allyl)(CO)2(MeCN)2], whereas treatment with KTp and sodium cyclopentadienide gives [MoTp(CO)3]− and [MoCp(CO)3]− anions, respectively. These anions react with a variety of electrophiles.[9] A related source of Mo(CO)3 is cycloheptatrienemolybdenum tricarbonyl.
Source of Mo atoms
Molybdenum hexacarbonyl is widely used in electron beam-induced deposition technique - it is easily vaporized and decomposed by the electron beam providing a convenient source of molybdenum atoms.[10]
Safety and handling
Like all metal carbonyls, Mo(CO)6 is a dangerous source of volatile metal as well as CO.
^Darensbourg, D. J.; Kump, R. L. (1978). "A Convenient Synthesis of cis-Mo(CO)4L2 Derivatives (L = Group 5a Ligand) and a Qualitative Study of Their Thermal Reactivity toward Ligand Dissociation". Inorg. Chem.17 (9): 2680–2682. doi:10.1021/ic50187a062.
^Elschenbroich, C.; Salzer, A. (1992). Organometallics: A Concise Introduction (2nd ed.). Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. ISBN3-527-28165-7.
Feldmann, J.; Cullen, W. R. (1997). "Occurrence of Volatile Transition Metal Compounds in Landfill Gas: Synthesis of Molybdenum and Tungsten Carbonyls in the Environment". Environ. Sci. Technol. 31 (7): 2125–2129. Bibcode:1997EnST...31.2125F. doi:10.1021/es960952y.
Feldmann, J.; Grümping, R.; Hirner, A. V. (1994). "Determination of Volatile Metal and Metalloid Compounds in Gases from Domestic Waste Deposits with GC/ICP-MS". Fresenius' J. Anal. Chem. 350 (4–5): 228–234. doi:10.1007/BF00322474. S2CID95405500.
