Molybdenum complexes dithiophosphates

The various types of compound and their mechanisms of action have been reviewed by Mitchell . He concluded that the question of the extent to which the molybdenum additives decompose to produce molybdenum disulphide, if at all, was not yet resolved and certainly depended on the type of compound and the operating conditions. There was little doubt that molybdenum dithiocarbamates form molybdenum disulphide, probably by decomposition at hot spots caused by asperity interactions. It was less certain that molybdenum dithiophosphates form molybdenum disulphide, although mixtures of zinc dialkyidithiophosphate and molybdenum complexes had been shown to do so . 

More recendy, molecular molybdenum-sulfur complexes and clusters have been used as soluble precursors for M0S2 in the formulation of lubricating oils for a variety of appHcations (70). Presumably, the oil-soluble molybdenum—sulfur-containing precursors decompose under shear, pressure, or temperature stress at the wear surface to give beneficial coatings. In several cases it has been shown that the soluble precursors are trifunctional in that they not only display antifriction properties, but have antiwear and antioxidant characteristics as weU. In most cases, the ligands for the Mo are of the 1,1-dithiolate type, including dithiocarbamates, dithiophosphates, and xanthates (55,71). 

Table 5.15. Protective tribofilm formation from degradation of molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC), molybdenum dithiophosphate (MoDDP) and molybdenum amine-ester complex (MoAC) directly and in combination with ZDDPs or sulfur compounds...

Mo(V) complex disproportionates as it dissociates to produce mononuclear Mo (IV) and Mo (VI). As Mo (IV) and Mo (VI) are directly interconvertible by an oxo transfer reaction, they are viable participants in catalytic cycles. A dinuclear Mo(V) species of this nature can thus supply either the oxidizing or reducing member of this couple and presents a mechanism by which molybdenum enzymes can channel reducing or oxidizing power. Several inorganic reactions have recently been explained using this scheme (80, 81). To date, however, Reaction 12 only applies when the ligand is a dithiocarbamate or dithiophosphate. Nevertheless, were there known dinuclear active sites in enzymes, this would be an important mechanism to consider. 

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