Isomerization and Oxygen Atom Transfer Reactivity in Oxo−Mo Complexes of Relevance to Molybdoenzymes

Both dioxo Mo(VI) and mono-oxo Mo(V) complexes of a sterically restrictive N₂O heteroscorpionate ligand are found to exist as cis and trans isomers. The thermodynamically stable isomer differs for the two oxidation states, but in each case, we have isolated the kinetically labile isomer and followed its isomerization to the thermodynamically stable form. The Mo(VI) complex is more stable in the cis geometry and isomerizes more than 6 times faster than the Mo(V) complex, which prefers the trans geometry. In OAT reactions with PPh₃, the trans isomer of the dioxo−Mo(VI) reacts ∼20 times faster than the cis isomer. Thus, there are both oxidation state and donor atom dependent differences in isomeric stability and reactivity that could have significant functional implications for molybdoenzymes such as DMSO reductase.