Synthesis and molecular structure of the nitride (LOEt)Mo(N)Cl2 [LOEt=(η-C5H5)Co{P(O)(OEt)2}3]

Complex (LOEt)Mo(N)Cl2 (1) (LOEt=(η-C5H5)Co{P(O)(OEt)2}3) was synthesized from the reaction of MoCl4(THF)2 with trimethylsilylazide, N3SiMe3, and, subsequently, with the sodium salt of the Kläuiʹs ligand, NaLOEt. Its structure was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The apparently long molybdenumnitride bond distance, 1.709(6) Å, was interpreted on the basis of the existence of random positional disorder within the crystal (rotational disorder). This fact was confirmed by the presence of an unusual short molybdenumchloride length, 2.087(5) Å.