Cluster compounds molybdenum halides

The hexanuclear molybdenum halide clusters (Mo6Xs)X4, i.e. (Mo6X 8)CP2CF 4/2, are known to react with some transition metal halide compounds forming two different types of cluster polymeric clusters with bridging outer halide ligands (X ) and discrete clusters with terminal halide ligands (X ). 

The kinetics and thermodynamics of the exchange of halide ions (X) in cluster compounds of the type [MgCyXe have been reported for M = Mo and W. Replacement of chloride ion (X ) by bromide ion involves aquation in the rate-determining step followed by rapid bromide-ion anation of the aqua-intermediate. The activation energies for the forward and reverse reactions are both reported to be ca. 18 kcal mol. The molybdenum clusters are about ten times as reactive as the analogous tungsten clusters. 

Just as, in Group VB, niobium, so, in this Group, molybdenum provides most of the examples of the chalcogenide halides. The occurrence and preparation of such compounds are described in numerous publications. In most cases, they have been obtained as powders, with the composition based on chemical analyses only. The presence of defined, homogeneous phases is, therefore, in many cases doubtful. In addition, some published results are contradictory. A decision is possible where a complete structure analysis has been made. As will be shown later, the formation of metal-metal bonds (so-called clusters), as in the case of niobium, is the most characteristic building-principle. Such clusters... 

In the high-valence cluster species, metal atoms forming the metal network appear to have positive intermediate oxidation states. However, metal oxidation states in cluster are always lower than those characteristic for the same metals in classical mononuclear complexes. The ligands associated to this class of cluster are normally good cr-donors that according to the classification of Pearson would have intermediate hardness. Among these compounds the most frequent are the halides, specially chlorides and bromides. An example of this cluster class is the molybdenum species [Mo6Xs] shown in Fig. 2.1c. 

---