Ionization-structure relationships of thin film and gas phase group VI metal-metal quadruple-bonded complexes.

Abstract

Principles involving the electronic structure of group VI metal-metal multiple bonded complexes are examined in order to provide insights into the intramolecular and intermolecular interactions of these systems. Examination of chromium, molybdenum and tungsten tetracarboxylate thin films by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy has provided the first experimental evidence for the location of the σ ionization in dimolybdenum tetracarboxylate quadruple bonded complexes. These compounds have significant intermolecular interactions as thin films which destabilizes ionization of the valence σ state, allowing it to be experimentally observed. This is supported by the observed destabilization of the σ ionization feature of the ditungsten analogue in going to the thin film. The Cr₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ comparison shows a destabilization of the leading predominantly metal ionizations consistent with the broad range of M-M bond lengths observed for Cr₂ complexes. The Group VI M₂(mhp)₄ and M₂(chp)₄ [mhp=6-methyl-2-oxo-pyridine and chp=6-chloro-2-oxo-pyridine] complexes are also examined. The geometric constraints imposed on the compounds by the ligand effectively block intermolecular interaction axial to the metal-metal bond in the solid state. Comparison of the two ligand spectra, Hmhp and Hchp, has provided a unique opportunity to assign ionizations previously attributed to the keto form of the Hmhp tautomers. The spectra of the complexes exhibit minimal relative shifting of ionization features in going to the thin films because of this constraint. A band previously believed to be due to spin orbit coupling is assigned to the σ ionization in the ditungsten complex. The overall ionization band profiles of the two series correlate well, metal by metal, with the expected shifting due to substitution of the more electronegative chlorine atoms for a methyl group. The synthesis and characterization of Mo₂(N-t-butyl-acetamide)₄, the first tetraamidodimetal compound without large rings with delocalized pi structure, is described. The single crystal X-ray structure is presented, revealing the novel (one of three examples) cis configuration of the MoN₂O₂ ligand set. The Mo-Mo bond length of 2.063 Å is one of the shortest seen to date. A preliminary gas phase He I valence spectrum is reported.