An Experiment for the Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory: The Sunlight-Induced Photosynthesis of (η2-C60)M(CO)5 Complexes (M = Mo, W)

The sunlight-induced photoreactions of M(CO)6 with C60 producing (η2-C60)M(CO)5 (M= Mo, W) complexes are modular, inexpensive, and relatively safehands-on activities. This experiment promotes laboratory skills,chemical applications of group theory, and the understanding of thebackbonding concept (and π-acidity) and its relation to the electronicstructure of C60 and the metal.