A series of mononuclear catecholato complexes of general formula LMoO(
cat) (L = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate) have been prepare
d and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, IR, UV/vis, and EPR spectro
scopy. The potential of the Mo(V/IV) redox couple is sensitive to the
catechol substituents, but the nearly axial EPR parameters are primari
ly governed by the coordination environment about the metal and are si
milar for all of the compounds.