Crystal structure and solution studies of the product of the reaction of β-mercaptoethanol with vanadate

Abstract

Reaction of β-mercaptoethanol with vanadate under slightly alkaline conditions provided a crystalline complex that was characterized by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy. The complex was dimeric in structure with a central [VO]2 core and a pentacoordinate, crudely trigonal bipyramidal arrangement about each vanadium atom with a sulphur occupying a pseudo-axial position. A single 51V NMR signal was observed for this complex when dissolved in water, chloroform or acetonitrile. A large influence of acetonitrile on the vanadium chemical shift suggested the possibility of reaction with acetonitrile. FTIR showed the presence of two complexes in acetonitrile solution but only one in chloroform or water. Mixed solvent studies were carried out in an effort to further characterize the solution complexes. Crystal structure of [{VO2(OC2H4S)}2][NEt4]2: monoclinic, space group P21/n,. a = 8.3451(17), b = 16.954(4), c = 10. 2064(25) Å; β = 101. 271(18)°; V = 1416.2 Å3; Z = 2; RF = 0.048 for 1355 data (Io 2..5σ (Io) and 147 variables.Key words: mercaptoethanol, vanadate, vanadium NMR, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, thiolate.