The reaction of Mo(O)(NBu(t))(OSiMe3)Cl or Mo(O)(NBu(t))(OSiMe3)2 with
mesMgBr affords the imido complex [Mo(NBu(t))(mes)3(OSiMe3)] (2); the
crystal structure of 2 indicates that the imido and the siloxy ligand
s are linear, the Mo-N bond of 1.786(10) angstrom being one of the lon
gest reported to date for a linear molybdenum imido group.