Synthesis and structure of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) (mp = monoanion of 2-mercaptopyridine) and its reactions with 2,2'-pyridine disulfide and/or NO to yield W(eta(2)-mp)(4), W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2), and W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO).

Oxidative addition of the sulfur-sulfur bond of 2,2'-pyridine disulfide (C(5)H(4)NS-SC(5)H(4)N) with L(3)W(CO)(3) [L = pyridine, (1)/(3)CHPT; CHPT = cycloheptatriene] in methylene chloride solution yields the seven-coordinate W(II) thiolate complex W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) (mp = monoanion of 2-mercaptopyridine). This complex undergoes slow further oxidative addition with additional pyridine disulfide, yielding W(eta(2)- mp)(4). Reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) with NO results in quantitative formation of the six-coordinate W(0) complex W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2). Reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(CO)(3) with NO in the presence of added pyridine disulfide yields the seven-coordinate W(II) nitrosyl complex W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) as well as W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2) and trace amounts of W(eta(2)-mp)(4). The complex W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) is formed during the course of the reaction and not by reaction of W(eta(2)-mp)(4) or W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2) with NO under these conditions. The crystal structures of W(eta(2)- mp)(2)(CO)(3), W(eta(2)-mp)(2)(NO)(2), and W(eta(2)-mp)(3)(NO) are reported.