Dinuclear Tungsten and Molybdenum Tetracarbonyl Complexes Doubly-Bridged by Bis(phenylthio)alkane Bidentate Ligands

A new series of dinuclear group 6 metal tetracarbonyl complexes containing twobis(phenylthio)alkane ligands symmetrically bridging two M(CO)4 moieties of the type cis-{[M(CO)4]2(μ-PhS(CH2)nSPh)2} [M = W (1), Mo (2); n = 3 (a), 4 (b), 5 (c), 6 (d)] have beenprepared by the reaction of the labile complex M(CO)4(py)2 and bis(phenylthio)alkanes (1:1molar ratio) in 1,2-dichloroethane solution under mild reaction conditions. The tungstencomplexes are air stable as solids and in chlorinated hydrocarbon solution. In contrast, the Moanalogues are air sensitive as solids and should be stored under inert atmosphere.