Fac-mer Isomerization of Mo(CO)₃(Phosphite)₃ Caused by Interaction Between Phosphite Oxygen and Silane Silicon

Abastract

The isomerization of Mo(CO)₃{P(OMe)₃}₃ from fac to mer forms was found to be catalyzed by Me₃EX (E = Si, Ge, Sn; X = Cl, Br, I), and reached the equilibrium. The catalytic activity depends on E (Si > Ge > Sn) and on X (Cl < Br < I), whereas the final equilibrium position was independent of the kinds of E and X. A plausible mechanism for the isomerization was discussed.

Keywords:

• Hypervalent structure
• phosphite ligand
• silane catalyst
• transition metal complex