Heteroleptic Tetravalent 𝛽-Diketonate Molybdenum Complexes as Highly Active Catalysts for Allylic Substitution Reactions

The synthesis and characterization of a series of Mo(IV) bis-𝛽-diketonate (^(R)diket, R = Me, tBu, Ph) dichloride (RMo^(IV)Cl_2) and bistriflate (^(R)Mo^(IV)(OTf)_2) complexes are reported. All complexes are characterized in solid and solution state by XRD and 1H NMR spectroscopy. We demonstrate that the bistriflate complexes constitute highly active catalysts for allylic substitution reactions.