Mo(CO)3(NCMe)(PPh3)2: Synthesis, X-ray structure and evaluation of its catalytic activity for the homogeneous hydrogenation of olefins and their mixtures

The complex Mo(CO)3(NCMe)(PPh3)2, was synthesized by the reaction of Mo(NCMe)3(CO)3 with two equivalents of PPh3 and characterized by UV–Vis, IR, NMR and X-ray diffraction. This complex was used as a catalyst precursor for the hydrogenation of 1-hexene, styrene, cyclohexene and 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene and their mixtures under moderate conditions in homogeneous media. Under mild reaction conditions (T = 373 K, P = 60 atm), the substrates showed the following reactivity order: styrene > 1-hexene > cyclohexene > 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene. A quaternary equimolar mixture showed a different hydrogenation order: 1-hexene > cyclohexene > styrene > 2,3-dimethyl-1-butene; the presence of dibenzothiophene or mercury does not interfere with the activity of the catalyst.