The preparation and crystal structure of (η5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2006.08.018

The reaction of (η⁵ - C₅ H₅) Mo (CO)₃^- with p-CH₃C₆H₄S(O)₂O(CH₂)₃C₆H₅ produces (η⁵-C₅H₅)(OC)₃Mo(CH₂)₃C₆H₅. This is only the second structurally characterized organometallic species in which an aromatic moiety is separated by three or more methylene groups. The alkyl chain adopts a staggered conformation, the Mo-C(1)-C(2)-C(3)-C(4) unit is nearly coplanar, and the alkyl chain eclipses the trans-carbonyl group on Mo. NMR evidence indicates that this conformation is preserved in solution.

Full text of DOI:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2006.08.018

Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 691 (2006) 5065–5068
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Note
The preparation and crystal structure of (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5
a
a
a,
b
Donna S. Amenta , Aimee D. Morton , John W. Gilje *, Frank T. Edelmann ,
b
b
Axel Fischer , Steffen Blaurock
a
Department of Chemistry, MSC 4501, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807, USA
b
Otto-von-Guericke-Universita¨t Magdeburg, Universita¨tsplatz 2, D-39106 Magdeburg, Germany
Received 12 June 2006; received in revised form 8 August 2006; accepted 8 August 2006
Available online 18 August 2006
Abstract
The reaction of ðg5-C5H5ÞMoðCOÞꢀ with p-CH3C6H4S(O)2O(CH2)3C6H5 produces (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5. This is only the
3
second structurally characterized organometallic species in which an aromatic moiety is separated by three or more methylene groups.
The alkyl chain adopts a staggered conformation, the Mo–C(1)–C(2)–C(3)–C(4) unit is nearly coplanar, and the alkyl chain eclipses the
trans-carbonyl group on Mo. NMR evidence indicates that this conformation is preserved in solution.
ꢀ 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Molybdenum; Phenylpropyl complex; Conformation
1. Introduction
CH2–CH2–C6H5 [5]. In fact, (g5-C5H5)(OC)3M–(CH2)n–
C6H5, derivatives with more than a single methylene group
are unknown for Mo or Cr. With W the compound with
two methylene groups is known [6], but not with three or
more. Moreover, there are only limited reports on (g5-
C5H5)(OC)3M–R (M = Cr, Mo, or W) where R is the
n-propyl or a longer chain n-alkyl and there are no struc-
tures except for (g5-C5H5)(OC)3W(CH2)3Br [7], (g5-C5H5)-
(OC)3W(CH2)5I [7], (g5-C5H5)(OC)3W(CH2)3CO2H [8],
and the related (g5-C5H5)(OC)2(Ph3P)Mo(CH2)3I [7]. In
the course of our studies, we have prepared (g5-C5H5)-
(OC)3Mo–CH2–CH2–CH2–C6H5. As this complex is the
model for a series of related derivatives that should be
amendable to being heterogenized, we report its prepara-
tion and structure.
(g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo–R complexes are precursors to org-
anomolybdenum dioxo species that are active epoxidation
catalysts [1]. Recently, there has been interest in grafting
the (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo- group to a solid support through
the R group, thus forming precursors to heterogeneous cat-
alysts [1–3]. To a large extent these studies have focused on
R groups that terminate in siloxane functionalities. How-
ever, such compounds have proven to be sensitive and
somewhat difficult to handle [4]. As an alternative, we are
interested in complexes that contain a (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo-
fragment separated from an aromatic moiety by a flexible
methylene chain. These species should be relatively easily
manipulated and could be heterogenized by attachment
to a support through substituents on the aromatic ring.
We were surprised that metal complexes containing sev-
eral methylene groups bonded to an aromatic ring are rare.
The only structurally characterized example that contains
three or more methylene groups is (R3P)2(Br)Pd–CH2–
2. Experimental
2.1. Materials and methods
Infrared (IR) spectra were obtained as KBr pellets using
an MIDAC Corporation M2000 FTIR. Nuclear Magnetic
Resonance spectra were obtained with Bruker-Ace 200 and
*
Corresponding author. Fax: +49 5405687938.
E-mail address: giljejw@jmu.edu (J.W. Gilje).
1
400 MHz spectrometers. Chemical shifts for H NMR and
0022-328X/$ - see front matter ꢀ 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jorganchem.2006.08.018

5066
D.S. Amenta et al. / Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 691 (2006) 5065–5068
13C NMR were reported in ppm downfield from tetrameth-
ylsilane (d scale). Reactants and reagents were obtained
from Aldrich Chemical Company. Solvents were dried
and purified by appropriate means before use. All manipu-
lations were performed under a dry nitrogen or argon
atmosphere in a Vacuum Atmosphere Dry Box or by using
Schlenk techniques. Since several of the reagents and the
product are somewhat light sensitive, light was excluded
whenever possible.
–CH2CH2CH2OTs, 3J = 7.7 Hz, 3J = 6.3 Hz); 2.5 (s,
CH3); 2.7 (t, CH2CH2CH2OTs, 3J = 7.7 Hz); 4.1 (t,
3
CH2CH2CH2OTs, J = 6.3 Hz); 7.1–7.8 (m, Ar).
2.1.2. Synthesis of (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5(12)
In a 250 mL three necked round bottomed flask, 100 mL
freshly distilled THF, 2 M sodium cyclopentadienylide
(7.5 mL, 15 mmol), and molybdenum hexacarbonyl
(3.8 g, 15 mmol) were added sequentially. The reaction
2.1.1. Synthesis of 3-phenylpropyl p-toluenesulfonate
Table 2
A modification of the procedure described by Dishong
was used [9]. In a nitrogen atmosphere, p-toluenesulfonyl-
chloride (2.9 g, 15 mmol) was dissolved in 3 mL pyridine.
This solution was cooled in an ice bath for 15 min and
added to 3-phenyl-1-propanol (2.0 g, 15 mmol) in a
50 mL round bottomed flask. After stirring for 1 h the
resulting solution was transferred to a 125 mL separatory
funnel, 3 mL water was added, and the mixture extracted
with dichloromethane (3 · 5 mL). Following extraction
with ice cold 6 N HCl (3 · 5 mL) and 10 mL ice cold satu-
rated NaCl solution, the organic phase was dried over mag-
nesium sulfate. Following filtration, the solvent was
evaporated under vacuum leaving a clear oil of 3-phenyl-
propyl p-toluenesulfonate (3.8 g, 13 mmol, 89% yield).
13C (CDC13) d: 21.7 (–CH2CH2CH2–); 30.5 (CH3); 31.9
(Ar–CH2–); 69.7 (CH2–OTs); 126.2, 127.9, 128.4, 128.5,
5
˚
Bond lengths (A) and angles (ꢁ) for (g -C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5
Bond lengths
Mo–C(16)
Mo–C(15)
Mo–C(17)
Mo–C(13)
Mo–C(14)
Mo–C(10)
Mo–C(1)
Mo–C(12)
Mo–C(11)
O(1)–C(15)
C(1)–C(2)
O(2)–C(16)
C(2)–C(3)
1.982(3)
1.983(3)
1.988(3)
2.321(2)
2.323(2)
2.339(3)
2.341(2)
2.355(2)
2.360(3)
1.144(3)
1.511(3)
1.142(3)
1.540(3)
C(3)–C(4)
O(3)–C(17)
C(4)–C(5)
C(4)–C(9)
C(5)–C(6)
C(6)–C(7)
C(7)–C(8)
C(8)–C(9)
C(10)–C(14)
C(10)–C(11)
C(11)–C(12)
C(12)–C(13)
C(13)–C(14)
1.501(3)
1.142(3)
1.379(3)
1.395(3)
1.388(4)
1.384(4)
1.379(4)
1.377(3)
1.407(4)
1.418(4)
1.382(4)
1.402(4)
1.399(4)
Bond angles
C(16)–Mo–C(15)
C(16)–Mo–C(17)
C(15)–Mo–C(17)
C(16)–Mo–C(13)
C(15)–Mo–C(13)
C(17)–Mo–C(13)
C(16)–Mo–C(14)
C(15)–Mo–C(14)
C(17)–Mo–C(14)
C(13)–Mo–C(14)
C(16)–Mo–C(10)
C(15)–Mo–C(10)
C(17)–Mo–C(10)
C(13)–Mo–C(10)
C(14)–Mo–C(10)
C(16)–Mo–C(1)
C(15)–Mo–C(1)
C(17)–Mo–C(1)
C(13)–Mo–C(1)
C(14)–Mo–C(1)
C(10)–Mo–C(1)
C(16)–Mo–C(12)
C(15)–Mo–C(12)
C(17)–Mo–C(12)
C(13)–Mo–C(12)
C(14)–Mo–C(12)
C(10)–Mo–C(12)
C(1)–Mo–C(12)
C(14)–C(13)–C(12)
C(14)–C(13)–Mo
C(12)–C(13)–Mo
C(13)–C(14)–C(10)
C(13)–C(14)–Mo
C(10)–C(14)–Mo
O(1)–C(15)–Mo
O(2)–C(16)–Mo
O(3)–C(17)–Mo
105.98(10)
78.27(10)
80.50(11)
139.69(10)
109.80(9)
89.81(10)
106.16(9)
144.46(9)
91.55(9)
C(16)–Mo–C(11)
C(15)–Mo–C(11)
C(17)–Mo–C(11)
C(13)–Mo–C(11)
C(14)–Mo–C(11)
C(10)–Mo–C(11)
C(1)–Mo–C(11)
C(12)–Mo–C(11)
C(2)–C(1)–Mo
C(1)–C(2)–C(3)
C(4)–C(3)–C(2)
C(5)–C(4)–C(9)
C(5)–C(4)–C(3)
C(9)–C(4)–C(3)
C(4)–C(5)–C(6)
C(7)–C(6)–C(5)
C(8)–C(7)–C(6)
C(9)–C(8)–C(7)
C(8)–C(9)–C(4)
C(14)–C(10)–C(11)
C(14)–C(10)–Mo
C(11)–C(10)–Mo
C(12)–C(11)–C(10)
C(12)–C(11)–Mo
C(10)–C(11)–Mo
C(11)–C(12)–C(13)
C(11)–C(12)–Mo
C(13)–C(12)–Mo
120.70(12)
115.26(11)
146.58(10)
57.60(10)
58.04(9)
1
129.9, 133.1, 140.4, 144.9 (CAr). H (CDC13) d: 2.0 (m,
Table 1
35.14(10)
79.64(9)
Crystal data and structure refinement for (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5
34.09(10)
122.70(15)
112.23(19)
111.54(19)
117.8(2)
121.0(2)
121.0(2)
121.5(2)
Empirical formula
Formula weight
Temperature (K)
C17H16MoO3
364.24
173(2)
35.07(9)
˚
96.74(10)
150.36(10)
123.42(10)
58.32(10)
35.14(9)
Wavelength (A)
0.71073
Crystal system, space group
Unit cell dimensions
Orthorhombic, Pbca
˚
a (A)
9.8238(15)
˚
b (A)
17.8302(18)
17.9747(18)
3148.5(7)
8, 1.537
0.839
˚
74.55(9)
119.7(3)
c (A)
3
˚
72.10(9)
119.4(2)
Volume (A )
Z, calculated density (Mg/m3)
133.72(9)
134.16(9)
131.66(9)
96.61(9)
153.74(12)
96.19(10)
119.95(11)
34.88(10)
58.04(9)
120.4(3)
121.1(2)
107.0(3)
71.82(15)
73.24(15)
108.5(2)
72.76(16)
71.62(15)
108.2(2)
Absorption coefficient (mmꢀ1
F(000)
)
1472
Crystal size (mm)
h Range for data collection (ꢁ)
Limiting indices
0.94 · 0.39 · 0.08
3.07–25.00
ꢀ11 < = h < = 3,
ꢀ21 < = k < = 1,
ꢀ21 < = l < = 2
3699/2759 [0.0161]
99.6%
Reflections collected/unique [Rint
Completeness to theta = 25.00
Absorption correction
Maximum and minimum
transmission
]
57.92(10)
99.84(9)
73.15(15)
71.25(14)
SADABS
108.2(2)
0.97 and 0.77
72.54(14)
73.87(14)
108.0(2)
72.39(13)
73.04(14)
176.8(2)
Refinement method
Full-matrix least-squares on F2
2759/0/190
Data/restraints/parameters
Goodness-of-fit on F2
Final R indices [I > 2r(I)]
R indices (all data)
Largest difference in
peak and hole (e Aꢀ3
0.897
R1 = 0.0237, wR2 = 0.0550
R1 = 0.0357, wR2 = 0.0577
0.300 and ꢀ0.622
178.6(2)
178.8(2)
)

D.S. Amenta et al. / Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 691 (2006) 5065–5068
5067
mixture was refluxed for approximately 4.5 h under a dini-
trogen atmosphere and in the absence of light. A color
change from light pink to translucent orange was observed
before reflux. After cooling 3-phenylpropyl p-toluenesulfo-
nate (3.8 g, 13 mmol) in 20 mL THF was added dropwise
over a period of a several minutes. During the addition
the color changed from orange to red–orange. After stir-
ring overnight, the THF was evaporated. The resulting vis-
cous liquid was purified by chromatography through an
alumina column using 80/20 hexanes/ethyl acetate. Follow-
ing evaporation of the solvent from the red fraction, the
resulting solid was washed with hexanes to yield yellow
(g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5 (2.0 g, 5.4 mmol, 41%).
13C (THF-d8) d: 1.5 (MoCH2); 38.7 (MoCH2CH2); 41.7
(MoCH2CH2CH2–); 93.1 (CCP); 125.3–166.7 (CAr); 228.2
absorption correction the SADABS routine was applied.
The structures were solved by direct methods using SHEL-
XTL and refined using SHELX-97 [12,13]. Refinement was
by full-matrix least-squares on F2. The crystal, data collec-
tion and refinement information are summarized in Table 1
and bond lengths and bond angles in Table 2. A perspec-
tive drawing of the molecule is shown in Fig. 1.
3. Results and discussion
The reaction of ðg5-C5H5ÞMoðCOÞ3ꢀ with p-
CH3C6H4S(O)2O(CH2)3C6H5 produces (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo-
(CH2)3C6H5 in about 40% yield:
Na [(
η
5-C5H5)Mo(CO)3]
+
p-CH3C6H4S(O)2O(CH2)3C6H5
1
(COcis); 240.4 (COtrans). H (THF-d8) d: 1.7 (m, MoCH2);
2.0 (m, MoCH2CH2); 2.7 (t, MoCH2CH2CH2); 5.4 (s, Cp);
7.2–7.7 (m, Ar). The Mo–CH2–CH2–CH2 portion of the
1H spectrum can be closely simulated [10] as AA0BB0C2
CH2
CH2
CH2
Mo
0
spin system with the following parameters: dA ¼ dA
- NaSO3C6H4CH3
OC
0
0
C
O
¼1.7 ppm, dB ¼ dB ¼2.0 ppm, dC = 2.7 ppm, JAA
=
C
O
0
0
ꢀ 19 Hz, JAB = 3 Hz, JAB = 10 Hz, JAC = JA C = 0 Hz,
0
0
JBB = ꢀ 14 Hz, JBC = JB C = 7 Hz, JCC = ꢀ 15 Hz. IR:
1920 (C„O); 2014 (C„O) cmꢀ1. X-ray quality crystals
were obtained by recrystallization from hexanes. (Consid-
erably lower yields of (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5 were
obtained from reactions of Na[CpMo(CO)3] with
X(CH2)3C6H5 where X = Cl or Br [11].)
While the compound is stable for long periods when
stored in the dark under an inert atmosphere, it slowly
decomposes when exposed to light. In our hands, higher
yields were obtained when the reaction was run in the dark.
The alkyl chain in (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5
adopts a staggered conformation, with Mo–C(1)–C(2)–
C(3) and C(1)–C(2)–C(3)–C(4) dihedral angles of
178.03(16)ꢁ and 179.7(2)ꢁ, respectively. The phenyl ring is
nearly perpendicular to the plane of aliphatic carbons with
C(2)–C(3)–C(4)–C(5) and C(2)–C(3)–C(4)–C(9) dihedral
angles of 89.1(3)ꢁ and 87.3(3)ꢁ, respectively. Notably, the
C(17)–Mo–C(1)–C(2) dihedral angle of 2.5(3)ꢁ indicates
that the alkyl chain eclipses the trans-carbonyl group.
While there is a similar conformation in (g5-C5H5)-
(OC)3W(CH2)5I [7], in the other structurally characterized
complexes that contain a three carbon aliphatic chain:
(g5-C5H5)(OC)3W(CH2)3CO2H [8], (g5-C5H5)(OC)3W-
(CH2)3Br and trans-(g5-C5H5)(Ph3P)(OC)3Mo (CH2)3I [7],
the plane of the alkyl chain is staggered with respect to
the trans ligand.
2.1.3. Single crystal X-ray diffraction
The measurement was performed using a Siemens SMART
˚
CCD system with Mo Ka X-radiation (k = 0.71073 A) and
graphite monochromator. Selected crystals of (g5-
C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5 were coated with mineral oil,
mounted on a glass fiber and transferred to the cold nitro-
gen stream (Siemens LT-2 attachment). Data were col-
lected at 173 K. A full hemisphere of the reciprocal space
was scanned by x in three sets of frames of 0.3ꢁ. As an
The 1H NMR spectrum of methylene chain appears as a
AA0BB0C2 pattern. If the conformation observed in the
crystal structure is predominant in solution, even rapid
rotation about the Mo–C and the C–C bonds would not
exchange the two methylene protons on C(1) and on
C(2). Thus, if the solid state conformation is preserved in
solution an AA0BB0C2 spectrum is expected. On the other
hand, the protons within respective methylene groups
would exchange during rapid rotation if the conformation
is similar to the ones in C5H5)(OC)3W(CH2)3CO2H [8], (g5-
C5H5)(OC)3W(CH2)3Br and trans-(g5-C5H5)(Ph3P)(OC)3-
Mo(CH2)3I [7]. Thus, the fact that a simple A2B2C2
spectrum is not observed indicates that the conformation
of the Mo–CH2–CH2–R moiety observed in the crystal
Fig. 1. Perspective drawing of (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5.

5068
D.S. Amenta et al. / Journal of Organometallic Chemistry 691 (2006) 5065–5068
(b) F.E. Kuhn, A.M. Santos, M. Abrantes, Chem. Rev. 106 (2006)
2455–2475;
(c) C. Freund, M. Abrantes, F.E. Kuhn, J. Organomet. Chem. 691
¨
(2006) 3718–3729.
¨
structure likely is predominant in solution. Based on this
conformation the most suitable congeners for heterogeniz-
ing may be ones with suitable para substituents.
[2] A. Sakthivel, M. Abrantes, A.S.T. Chiang, F.E. Kuhn, J. Organomet.
¨
Chem. 691 (2006) 1007–1011.
[3] M. Abrantes, S. Gago, A.A. Valente, M. Pillinger, I.S. Gonc¸alves,
4. Supplementary data
T.M. Santos, J. Rocha, C.C. Romao, Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. (2004)
˜
4914–4920.
Crystallographic data for the structures have been
deposited with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Cen-
tre, CCDC 610219 for (g5-C5H5)(OC)3Mo(CH2)3C6H5.
Copies of the data can be obtained free of charge on appli-
cation to The Director, CCDC, 12 Union Road, Cam-
bridge CB2 1EZ, UK (fax: int. code +44 1223 336-033;
e-mail for inquiry: fileserv@ccdc.cam.ac.uk).
[4] J. Zhao, A. Sakthivel, A.M. Santos, F.E. Kuhn, Inorg. Chim. Acta
¨
358 (2005) 4201–4207.
[5] J.H. Kirchhoff, M.R. Netherton, I.D. Hills, G.C. Fu, J. Am. Chem.
Soc. 124 (2002) 13662–13663.
[6] (a) H.S. Shiu-Chin, A. Wojcicki, Organometallics 2 (1983) 1296–
1301;
(b) B. Klein, R.J. Kazlauskas, M.S. Wrighton, Organometallics 1
(1982) 1338–1350.
[7] H.B. Friedrich, M.O. Onani, O.Q. Munro, J. Organomet. Chem. 633
(2001) 39–50.
Acknowledgements
[8] H.B. Friedrich, R.A. Howie, M.O. Onani, Acta Crystallogr. Sect. E
E60 (2004) m1641–m1643.
[9] D.M. Dishong, C.J. Diamond, M.I. Cinoman, G.W. Gokel, J. Am.
Chem. Soc. 105 (1983) 586–593.
[10] K. Marat, SpinWorks 2.5.3, University of Manitoba, 2006.
[11] M.P. Thornberry, D.S. Amenta, unpublished observations.
[12] G.M. Sheldrick, SHELXTL, Structure Determination Software Pro-
grams, version 5.03 (PC), Siemens Analytical X-ray Instruments,
Madison, WI, USA, 1995.
Support by the U.S. National Science Foundation REU
CHE-0097448, and REU CHE-0315345 is gratefully
acknowledged. We thank Mr. Brian Webb for his assis-
tance in obtaining some of the NMR spectra.
References
[13] G.M. Sheldrick, SHELXL-97. A Program for Crystal Structure Refine-
ment, Universita¨t Go¨ttingen, 1997.
[1] (a) For recent reviews see: F.E. Kuhn, A.M. Santos, W.A. Herrmann,
¨
Dalton Trans. (2005) 2483–2491;