Hexa(''tert''-butoxy)ditungsten(III) is a
coordination complex
A coordination complex consists of a central atom or ion, which is usually metallic and is called the ''coordination centre'', and a surrounding array of bound molecules or ions, that are in turn known as '' ligands'' or complexing agents. ...
of tungsten(III). It is one of the
homoleptic
In inorganic chemistry, a homoleptic chemical compound is a metal compound with all ligands identical. The term uses the " homo-" prefix to indicate that something is the same for all. Any metal species which has more than one type of ligand is he ...
alkoxides of tungsten. A red, air-sensitive solid, the complex has attracted academic attention as the precursor to many
organotungsten derivatives. It an example of a charge-neutral complex featuring a W≡W bond, arising from the coupling of a pair of d
3 metal centers. It has attracted particular attention for its reactions with alkynes, leading to
alkyne metathesis
Alkyne metathesis is an organic reaction that entails the redistribution of alkyne chemical bonds. The reaction requires metal catalysts. Mechanistic studies show that the conversion proceeds via the intermediacy of metal alkylidyne complexes. T ...
.
It can be prepared by the salt metathesis reaction from the thf complex of ditungsten heptachloride:
:NaW
2Cl
7(THF)
5 + 6 NaOBu-t → W
2(OBu-t)
6 + 7 NaCl + 5 THF
It was originally prepared by alcoholysis of the amide W
2(NMe
2)
6.
The complex and its
dimolybdenum analogue adopt a staggered, ethane-like conformation. The M-M distance is 233 pm. The complex is a weak Lewis acid, forming adducts with two pyridine ligands, for example.
[{{cite journal , doi=10.1016/S0277-5387(97)00290-8, title=Pyridine, isocyanide, carbodiimide and allene adducts of hexakis (Trifluoromethyl t-botoxy) ditungsten. A comparison of ligand binding to W2(Ot-Bu)6 and W2(OCMe2CF3)6, year=1998, last1=Budzichowski, first1=Theodore A., last2=Chisholm, first2=M.H., last3=Folting, first3=Kristen, last4=Huffman, first4=John C., last5=Streib, first5=William E., last6=Tiedtke, first6=Darin B., journal=Polyhedron, volume=17, issue=5–6, pages=857–867]
See also
*
Hexa(tert-butoxy)dimolybdenum(III)
Hexa(''tert''-butoxy)dimolybdenum(III) is a coordination complex of molybdenum(III). It is one of the homoleptic alkoxides of molybdenum. An orange, air-sensitive solid, the complex has attracted academic attention as the precursor to many organ ...
References
Alkoxides
Tungsten compounds