The magic of the delta bonds: How to modulate electronic communication in pairs-of-pairs containing multiple bonded Mo2 species

• A tribute of the 50th anniversary of the quadruple and delta bonds is provided.
• Electronic communication between two dimetal units through a linker is examined.
• Advantages of using dimetal units with metal–metal bonds are provided.
• Studies using EPR, NMR, UV–Vis, NIR, magnetism and calculations are highlighted.
• How to complement electrochemical studies with other technique is given.

An account is presented of the work done in our Laboratory at Texas A&M University on pairs-of-pairs whereby two multiple-bonded dimolybdenum units are joined by various types of linkers. These species that behave as Creutz–Taube analogs show that under appropriate conditions, electronic communication is facilitated by the electrons in delta bonds. The account shows how various experimental techniques such as electrochemical measurements, X-ray crystallography, near-infrared spectroscopy, EPR and NMR spectroscopies, magnetism and theoretical computations complement each other while interrogating these compounds.

An account is provided of the work done at Texas A&M University in a joint collaboration with Al Cotton on electronic communication in pairs-of-pairs having two multiple bonded dimolybdenum units joined by a linker and the involvement of electrons in delta bonds in such processes. This publication commemorates the 50th anniversary of the recognition of the first species with a quadruple bond, i.e., [Re2Cl8]2−, that appeared September 18, 1964 (F.A. Cotton, N.F. Curtis, C.B. Harris, B.F.G. Johnson, S.J. Lippard, J.T. Mague, W.R. Robinson, J.S. Wood, Science 145 (1964) 1305).Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide