REACTIONS OF MO(CO)6 UNDER BIPHASE CONDITIONS

The reaction between molybdenum hexacarbonyl and hydroxide ion under s olid-liquid biphase conditions at room temperature gave [(CO)3Mo(-OH)3 Mo(CO)3]3-. Tetrabutylammonium bromide was used as the phase transfer agent. The reaction between hydroxide ion and molybdenum hexacarbonyl under liquid-liquid or solid-liquid biphase conditions did not give an y hydrido complex. Hydroxide ion catalysed substitution reactions of m olybdenum hexacarbonyl were studied under solid-liquid and liquid-liqu id biphase conditions. The reaction between molybdenum hexacarbonyl an d tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in dichloromethane at room temperature was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Based on the experimental eviden ce, a mechanism is suggested for the substitution reactions catalysed by the hydroxide ion under biphase conditions.