Crystallization-Induced Asymmetric Transformations in Crotyl Molybdenum Complexes^†

Equilibria between epimers and diastereomers of pseudo-octahedral crotyl molybdenum complexes that contain bisphosphines occur in solution. Epimerization of the crotyl-molybdenum moiety is slow (t1/2 = 7 h at 15 °C). Crystallization yields a single diastereomer, and this system provides a set of chiral nonracemic η3-crotyl complexes that can be easily handled and preserved for a reasonable time in solution at convenient temperatures.