Synthesis and molecular structure of the highly versatile synthetic reagent fac-[W(CO) 3{NCCH 2(3-C 4H 3S)} 3

Abstract

Treatment of fac-[W(CO) 3(NCMe) 3] (prepared in situ) with three equivalents of thiophene-3-acetonitrile {NCCH 2(3-C 4H 3S)} at 0°C, followed by stirring for 2 h at room temperature gave a quantitative yield of the tris{thiophene-3-acetonitrile} complex fac-[W(CO) 3{NCCH 2(3-C 4H 3S)} 3] ( 1). The crystal structure of 1 was determined, and has an almost perfect octahedral geometry with three facial carbonyl groups and three facial thiophene-3-acetonitrile ligands. The versatility of 1 as a starting material is discussed.