Question

If the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with mesitylene were conducted in the presence of air, what would probably be the decomposition products?

This is lab of Organometallic Synthesis: 0.5 g (~ 1.9 mmol) of Mo(CO)6 was added with 5mL (~36mmol) of mesitylene. It was then refluxed with nitrogen, precipitate with hexane, and purified with CH2Cl2. Precipitate again with hexane. The end product was 1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3]Mo(CO)3 precipitate.

Answer 1

If the reaction of Mo(CO)6 with mesitylene were conducted in the presence of air, the complex is oxidized to a cation [[1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3](Mo(CO)3]+and the CO.

                                           air

  Mo(CO)6 + mesitylene ---------------> [[1,3,5-C6H3(CH3)3](Mo(CO)3]+ + CO