Coupling Mo2n+ units via dicarboxylate bridges

Abstract
The compounds Mo-2(DArF)(3)(O2CC2H5) 1, (DArF)(3)Mo-2-(O2CCO2)Mo-2(DArF)(3) 2 and (DArF)(3)Mo-2(O2CC6F4CO2)Mo-2(DArF)(3) 3 (DArF = N,N'-diarylformamidinate, Ar = p-anisyl) have been selectively prepared in good yield from the reactions of Mo-2(DArF)(3)Cl-2 and the corresponding carboxylate salts in the presence of NaHBEt3; their crystal structures, electronic spectra and electrochemistry have been studied.