Hexacarbonylmolybdenum

Abstract

[13939-06-5] C6MoO6 (MW 264.00) (starting material for many organomolybdenum compounds and reagents;1 can be used as catalyst for catalytic allylations2 and epoxidations) Alternate Names: molybdenum hexacarbonyl. Physical Data: mp 150 °C (dec); d 1.96 g cm−3.3 Solubility: only very slightly sol most organic solvents; slightly sol THF, diglyme, MeCN. Form Supplied in: white crystals; commercially available. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: indefinitely stable at rt under nitrogen or argon. The crystals can be handled in air for short periods with no significant decomposition. Prolonged exposure to air produces some oxidation to a blue oxide. The compound readily sublimes and purification is effected conveniently by sublimation under static vacuum, which yields large crystals of pure material. In most cases, the material can be used as supplied. Owing to the high vapor pressure of the solid, caution should be taken to avoid accidental breathing of the vapor or ingestion of this potentially toxic material; however, Mo(CO)6 is relatively innocuous compared to the high toxicity of liquid metal carbonyls. Many reactions involve displacement of carbon monoxide; hence they should be carried out in an efficient fume hood.