A carbonyl
ligand can be thermally liberated from TpRMo(NO)(CO)2 in the presence of a potential σ-donor
ligand (L) to give TpRMo(NO)(L)(CO), where TpR = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) or hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate
(Tp*). For Tp, complexes featuring L = 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm),
4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (4-DMAP), PMe3, PMe2Ph, PPh3, and P(OMe)3 have been prepared. In
addition, an N-heterocyclic-carbene complex, where L = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene
(NHC), has also been prepared using 1,3-dimethylimidazolium-2-carboxylate
as the carbene-transfer agent. For Tp*, complexes featuring L = 1-MeIm,
4-DMAP, PMe3, pyridine, and P(OMe)3 have been
prepared. Oxidation of the more electron-rich TpRMo(NO)(L)(CO)
complexes using a hydroperoxide gives η2-CO2 complexes, TpRMo(NO)(L)(η2-CO2). For Tp, η2-CO2 complexes where L =
1-MeIm, NHC, PMe3, and PMe2Ph have been isolated.
For Tp*, η2-CO2 complexes where L = 1-MeIm
and PMe3 have been isolated. Carbonyl stretching frequencies
indicate the susceptibility of TpRMo(NO)(L)(CO) complexes
to oxidation to form an η2-CO2 complex.
Carbonyl complexes featuring νCO values of >1885
cm–1 did not result in observable η2-CO2 complexes upon oxidation. The η2-CO2 complexes are most often formed as mixtures of two
coordination diastereomers that can interconvert in solution. For
the PMe3 complexes, a single diastereomer in which the
uncoordinated oxygen of the CO2 ligand points toward PMe3 is heavily favored at equilibrium (>30:1). These PMe3 η2-CO2 complexes have also been
analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The η2-CO2 complexes are air stable and thermally stable at room temperature
in solution. Reduction of TpRMo(NO)(L)(η2-CO2) back to TpRMo(NO)(L)(CO) can be accomplished
using chemical reductants, including LiBH4, LiAlH4, and a mixture of magnesium powder and P(NMe2)3.