Bis(alkylthioethyl)amine Complexes of Molybdenum

Synthetic, structural, and catalytic studies of a series of molybdenum complexes with the tridentate “SNS” ligands bis(decylthioethyl)amine and bis(ethylthioethyl)amine are reported. Complexes with a range of molybdenum oxidation states {(0), (III), and (IV)} have been accessed synthetically in high yields from readily synthesized starting materials. The formation of an unexpected dimeric molybdenum(I) structure is also reported. Where possible, the complexes have been converted to salts of the weakly coordinating tetrakis(perfluoro-tert-butoxy)aluminate anion. The complexes have been screened for ethylene oligomerization activity with a number of aluminum cocatalysts.