Functionalised N-pyrrolyl phosphines: synthesis and molybdenum chemistry of a new ketophosphine

The synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the new keto-functionalised N-pyrrolyl phosphine ligand PPh2NC4H3{C(O)CH3}-2 L is reported. The ligand coordinates to molybdenum(ii) as either a uni- or a bi-dentate ligand, and the reversibility of the ketone coordination is demonstrated by the interconversion of the complexes [MoCl(CO)(2)(L-kappa P-1)(eta (5)-C5H5)] 1 and [Mo(L-kappa P-2,O)(CO)(2)(eta (5)-C5H5)][BF4] 2 on abstraction or addition of chloride. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 is also reported.