Steric Control of Coordination Number:  A Series of Mo(VI) Dioxo Diaryloxide Complexes Bearing 4-, 5-, and 6-Coordinate Environments

The design, synthesis, and structure determination of a series of Mo(VI) dioxo diaryloxide complexes have been reported. By varying the steric bulk of the aryloxide ligand, control of the coordination number around the Mo(VI) center was achieved. All the complexes are characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Preliminary reactivity tests indicate that the 4-coordinate compound is the most stable and the 6-coordinate compound is the least stable.