Chiral electron-rich bis(cyclopentadienyl) dithiolene molybdenum complexes

Enantiomerically pure electron rich Cp2Mo(dithiolene) complexes have been synthesized from the enantiopure dithiolene ligands, namely the (R)- and the (S)-3(1-phenylethyl)-1,3-thiazoline-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate ligands. These heteroleptic molybdenum complexes act as very good electron donors, as demonstrated through electrochemical investigations. Both isomers form charge transfer salts with TCNQ with a 1:1 stoechiometry which have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR and UV–vis spectroscopic investigations. Circular dichroism (CD) experiments were also carried out on the neutral (R) and (S) enantiomers as well as on the mono oxidized species of these Cp2Mo dithiolene complexes.

Graphical abstractThe synthetic approach towards chiral Cp2Mo(R*-thiazdt) complexes, (R* = 1-phenylethyl), and their ability to form charge transfer salts with TCNQ are presented.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide