Bimetallic bridged dppb {dppb = Ph2P(CH2)(4)PPh2} complexes [{MI2(CO)(3)(P(OR)(3))}(2)(mu-dppb)] (M = Mo, W): X-ray crystal structure of [{MoI2(CO)(3)(P((OPr)-Pr-i)(3))}(2)(mu-dppb)]

Reaction of [MI2(CO)(3)(NCMe)(2)] with one equivalent of P(OR)(3) in CH2Cl2 at room temperature, followed by the in situ addition of half a molar equi valent of dppb {dppb = Ph2P(CH2)(4)PPh2} gave the bimetallic complexes [{MI 2(CO)(3)(P(OR)(3))}(2)(mu-dppb)] (M=Mo. W, R=Me, Et, Pr-t, Bu-n; for M=W on ly, R=Ph) (1-->9) in good yield. The molybdenum complex [{MoI2 (CO)(3)(P((O Pr)-Pr-i)(3))}(2) (mu-dppb)] (5) was crystallographically characterised and has crystallographic C-2 symmetry. Each molybdenum has a capped octahedral environment with P((OPr)-Pr-i)(3) in the capping position, three carbonyls in the capped face and the phosphorus from the bridging dppb ligand togeth er with two iodines in the uncapped face. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al l rights reserved.