The reaction behavior of [CpMo(CO)(μ,η-P)] and [Cp''Ta(CO)(η-P)] towards hydroxide and tert-butyl nucleophiles.

The reaction behavior of [CpMo(CO)(μ,η-P)] (1) and [Cp''Ta(CO)(η-P)] (2), respectively, towards the anions OH and Bu are reported. While the reaction of 1 with KOH gives the anionic complex [CpMo(CO)(μ-PH)] (3) under a formal phosphorus atom abstraction, reaction with LiBu leads to the alkylation product [CpMo(CO)(μ,η-PPBu)] (4). The reactions of 2 with [IDipp-H][OH] ([IDipp-H] = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)imidazolium) and LiBu yield [Cp''Ta(CO){η-P(O)H}] (5) and [Cp''Ta(CO)(η-PBu)] (6), respectively. Compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 were comprehensively characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure analysis.