Reactions of Mo(CO)<inf>6</inf> under biphase conditions

The reaction between molybdenum hexacarbonyl and hydroxide ion under solid-liquid biphase conditions at room temperature gave [(CO)3Mo(-OH)3Mo(CO)3]3-. Tetrabutylammonium bromide was used as the phase transfer agent. The reaction between hydroxide ion and molybdenum hexacarbonyl under liquid-liquid or solid-liquid biphase conditions did not give any hydrido complex. Hydroxide ion catalysed substitution reactions of molybdenum hexacarbonyl were studied under solid-liquid and liquid-liquid biphase conditions. The reaction between molybdenum hexacarbonyl and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide in dichloromethane at room temperature was studied by infrared spectroscopy. Based on the experimental evidence, a mechanism is suggested for the substitution reactions catalysed by the hydroxide ion under biphase conditions. © 1994 Indian Academy of Sciences.