Reduction of Tris(benzene-1,2-dithiolate)molybdenum(Vl) by Water. A Functional Mo-Hydroxylase Analogue System.

MoVI (S2C6H4)3 reacts cleanly and completely with H2O in THF to afford [H3O] + [MoV (S2C6H4)3]-. Kinetic data were fit by the rate equation —d[MoVI (S2C6H4)3]/dt = κ[MoVI (S2C6H4)3]/[H3O+], which is consistent with a coupled electron—proton transfer mechanism involving a coordinated H2O molecule. The MoVI (S2C6H4)3 reduction is accelerated by the presence of PPh3 and affords OPPh3. 18O isotope tracing shows that H2O is the source of oxygen transferred to PPh3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]