Metal—ligand bonds competition with protons

The extent of alkyne ir donation in Mo(RC=CR)(SBu )2(CNBu% (SO) is not easily quantified as discussed in the structural and molecular orbital sections. Proton shifts for HC=CH and PhC=CH ligands in these complexes are near 10.4 ppm, above the N = 4 median value and approaching an N = 3 chemical shift. The 13C chemical shifts range from 170 to 185 ppm, also above classic four-electron donor alkyne values, presumably reflecting competition with the two adjacent equatorial thiolates for donation to the two vacant metal dir acceptor orbitals. Single bond VCH values of 215 and 211 Hz are typical of terminal alkynes bound to molybdenum(II) (133). 

---