PNNL

Abstract

In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of molybdenum bis(dinitrogen) complexes supported by two PNP diphosphine ligands, Mo(N2)2(PNP)2; PNP = [(R2PCH2)2N(R´), R = Et (ethyl), Ph (phenyl); R´= Me (methyl), Bn (benzyl)], and a series of tungsten bis(dinitrogen) complexes containing one or two PNP ligands, W(N2)2(dppe)(PNP) and W(N2)2(PNP)2, respectively, and the analogues complexes without pendant amines for comparison. These Mo- and W-N2 complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In addition, reactivity of the complexes with CO is described. This material is based upon work supported as part of the Center for Molecular Electrocatalysis, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under FWP 56073. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is operated by Battelle for DOE.