Attempting to make metal-arene complexes such as [1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]Mo(CO)3 stemmed from the similarities of the cyclopentadiene rings
The Metal-Arene Complex [1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]Mo(CO)3
Kristin Quinn
March 10, 2005
Quinn 1
Kristin Quinn
Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
10 March 2005
Abstract
This lab combines 7.6 mmol of Mo(CO)6 and 72 mmol of mesitylene to produce (Mesitylene)tricarbonylmolybdenum. The product, [1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]Mo(CO)3, is produced by boiling the two reactants for 30 minutes in an inert nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting crystals are then filtered and purified by dissolving in dichloromethane and precipitating out using hexane. An IR spectrum is then taken of the product.
Introduction
The proposal of attempting to make metal-arene complexes such as [1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]Mo(CO)3 stemmed from the similarities of the cyclopentadiene rings used to make ferrocene and benzene rings. Both rings have a 6-electron pi system. The first correctly identified complex made with two benzene rings and a structure similar to ferrocene was bis(benzene)chromium in 1955. The creation of this complex led to the synthesis of many other bis(benzene) compounds with transition metals. 1
Procedure
The equipment needed for this experiment is as following: 250 mL 3-necked flask (with two stoppers), condenser, stir bar, hot plate, Buchner funnel for filtering, and an IR spectrometer. The chemicals needed are: 2.0 g of Mo(CO)6, 10 mL mesitylene, about 50 mL of hexane, and 20 mL of dichloromethane.