Molybdenocene trihydride complexes: influence of a [Me2Si] ansa bridge on classical versus nonclassical nature, stability with respect to elimination of dihydrogen, and acidity.

Experimental and computational studies on a series of cationic molybdenocene trihydride complexes, namely [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+, [(Cp(Bu)t)(2)MoH(3)]+, [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+, and ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]MoH(3))+, demonstrate that the most stable form for the ansa molybdenocene derivative is a nonclassical dihydrogen-hydride isomer, ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]Mo(eta(2)-H(2))(H))+, whereas the stable forms for the non-ansa complexes are classical trihydrides, [Cp(2)Mo(H)(3)]+, [(Cp(Bu)t)(2)Mo(H)(3)]+, and [Cp(2)Mo(H)(3)]+. In addition to altering the classical versus nonclassical nature of [Cp(2)MoH(3)]+ and ([Me(2)Si(C(5)Me(4))(2)]Mo(eta(2)-H(2))(H))+, the [Me(2)Si] ansa bridge also markedly influences the stability of the complex with respect to elimination of H(2) and dissociation of H+. Finally, computational studies on ([H(2)Si(C(5)H(4))(2)]MoH(2)D)+ and ([H(2)Si(C(5)H(4))(2)]MoHD(2))+ establish that deuterium exhibits a greater preference than hydrogen to occupy dihydrogen versus hydride sites.