Preparation of molybdenum(iv) complexes of sequential polypeptides consisting of glycine and L-cysteine and their catalytic activity for the electron transfer reduction of acetylene in protic media

Molybdenum(IV) complexes of sequential polypeptides, (Gly2Cys)n and (Gly3Cys)m were prepared, and their catalytic activities examined in the electron transfer reduction (by NaBH4) of acetylene. These molybdenum complexes had excellent catalytic activity in comparison with that of N-carbobenzyloxy-L-cysteine methyl ester.