The electronic structure of a genuine paramagnetic des-oxo Mo(V) catalytic intermediate in the reaction of dimethyl sulfoxide reductase (DMSOR) with (CH3)3NO has been probed by EPR, electronic absorption and MCD spectroscopies. EPR spectroscopy reveals rhombic g- and A-tensors that indicate a low-symmetry geometry for this intermediate and a singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) that is dominantly metal centered. The excited state spectroscopic data were interpreted in the context of electronic structure calculations, and this has resulted in a full assignment of the observed magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and electronic absorption bands, a detailed understanding of the metal-ligand bonding scheme, and an evaluation of the Mo(V) coordination geometry and Mo(V)-Sdithiolene covalency as it pertains to the stability of the intermediate and electron transfer regeneration. Finally, the relationship between des-oxo Mo(V) and des-oxo Mo(IV) geometric and electronic structures is discussed relative to the reaction coordinate in members of the DMSOR enzyme family.

A series of octahedral dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of the type [MoO(2)L(2)] {L = 4-Ar-pent-2-en-ol; L(i-Pr2Ph) with Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (1); L(Me2Ph) with Ar = 2,6-dimethylphenyl (2), L(MePh) with Ar = 2-methylphenyl (3) and with Ar = phenyl (4)} and dioxotungsten(VI) compounds [WO(2)L(2)] {L(i-Pr2Ph) (5); L(Me2Ph) (6) and L(MePh) (7)} with Schiff bases have been synthesized as models for oxotransferases. Spectroscopic characterization in solution shows with the sterically encumbered ligands L(i-Pr2)Ph and L(Me2)Ph isomerically pure products whereas the ligand with only one substituent in ortho position at the aromatic ring L(MePh) revealed a dynamic mixture of three isomers as confirmed by variable temperature NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of compounds 1, 2, and 4 and showed them to be in the N,N-trans conformation consistent with the larger steric demand at nitrogen. Oxygen atom transfer (OAT) properties towards trimethylphosphine were investigated leading to the isolation of two mononuclear molybdenum(IV) compounds [MoO(PMe(3))(L(Me2Ph))(2)] (8) and [MoO(PMe(3))(L(MePh))(2)] (9) as confirmed by spectroscopic and crystallographic means. The kinetics of OAT between complex [MoO(2)(L(Me2Ph))(2)] (2) and PMe(3) was investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy under pseudo-first-order conditions revealing single-step reactions with Eyring values of DeltaH(double dagger) = +60.79 kJ mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = -112 J mol(-1) K(-1) and a first-order dependence of phosphine consistent with a slow nucleophilic attack of the phosphine showing the octahedral geometries of this system to be unfavorable for OAT. Compound 1 showed no OAT reactivity towards PMe(3) emphasizing the influence of sterical properties. Furthermore, the reactivity of the reduced compounds [MoO(PMe(3))(L(Me2Ph))(2)] (8) and [MoO(PMe(3))(L(MePh))(2)] (9) towards molecular oxygen was investigated leading, in the case of 8, to the substitution of PMe(3) by O(2) under formation of the peroxo compound [MoO(O(2))(L(Me2Ph))(2)] (10). In contrast, the analogous reaction employing 9 led to oxidation forming the dioxo compound [MoO(2)(L(MePh))(2)] (3).

Substitution reactions of rhenium(V) oxo precursors [ReOCl3(PPh3)2] or [NBu4][ReOCl4] with the bidentate acetylacetone-derived ketoamine ligands APOH = 4-anilino-3-penten-2-one, DPOH = 4-[2,6-dimethylanilino]-3-penten-2-one, and MTPOH = 4-[2-(methylthio)anilino]-3-penten-2-one gave the complexes [ReO(APO)Cl2(PPh3)] (1), [ReO(DPO)Cl2(PPh3)] (2), and [NBu4][ReOLCl3] (3, L = APO; 4, L = DPO; 5, L = MTPO), respectively. All complexes exhibit only one ketoamino chelate, independent of the amount of ligand added to the rhenium precursors. The complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures of the complexes 1, 2, 4, and 5, including that of MTPOH, were determined, revealing the trans position of the two oxygen atoms and the trans-Cl,Cl conformation in 1 and 2, in contrast to most other rhenium complexes of this type where the cis-Cl,Cl conformation is observed. Coordination of the potentially tridentate ligand MTPOH in 5 is bidentate with a dangling thioether substituent. Compound 2 shows catalytic activity in the oxidation of cis-cyclooctene with tert-butylhydroperoxide.

Molybdenum(IV) monooxo compound that contains bis(beta-ketiminato) ligands activates molecular oxygen forming a molybdenum(VI) monooxo peroxo compound, representing a new entry into molybdenum peroxo derivatives.

Treatment of [MoO(N-t-Bu)Cl(2)(dme)] (dme = dimethoxyethane) with 2 equiv of the potassium salts of Schiff base ligands of the type KArNC(CH(3))CHC(CH(3))O afforded oxo imido molybdenum(VI) compounds [MoO(N-t-Bu)L(2)] {1, with Ar = phenyl (L(Ph)), 2 with Ar = 2-tolyl (L(MePh)), 3 with Ar = 2,6-dimethylphenyl (L(Me2Ph)) and 4 with Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (L(iPr2Ph))}. We have also prepared related bisimido complexes [Mo(N-t-Bu)(2)L(2) (5 with L = L(Ph), 6 with L = L(MePh), and 7 with L = L(Me2Ph)) by treatment of [Mo(N-t-Bu)(2)Cl(2)(dme)] with 2 equiv of the potassium salt of the respective ligand. 1, 3, 5, and 6 were characterized via single crystal X-ray diffraction. The oxo imido complexes exhibit oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactivity toward trimethyl phosphine. Kinetic data were obtained for 1 and 3 by UV/vis spectroscopy revealing decreased OAT reactivity in comparison to related dioxo complexes with the same Schiff base ligands and decreased reactivity of 1 versus 3. Cyclic voltammetry was used to probe the electronic situation at the molybdenum center showing reversible reduction waves for 3 and [MoO(2)(L(Me2Ph))(2)] at comparable potentials while 1 exhibits a significant lower potential. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed a higher electron density on oxygen in the oxo imido complexes.