Synthesis and characterization of [Mo(μ-EPh)(CO)3(CH3CN)]2 (E=Se, Te), including the X-ray structure of the tellurium derivative

International audience; The reaction of Mo(CO)3(MeCN)3 and E2Ph2 (E=Se, Te) yields the edge-sharing bioctahedral, metalmetal bonded Mo(I) products [Mo(CO)3(MeCN)(μ-EPh)]2. The structure of the tellurolato derivative was confirmed by X-ray crystallography: triclinic, space group , a=7.3149(17), b=9.6959(16), c=9.7090(10) Å, α=80.366(10), β=76.563(13), γ=72.877(16)°, V=636.43(19) Å3, Dcalc=2.222 Mg m−3, μ=3.271 mm−1, R1=0.0418, wR2=0.0689 for 163 parameters and 2238 data with I>2σ(I). The interaction of these compounds with excess E2Ph2 as a possible entry to homoleptic Mo(EPh)3 has been investigated.