Two W/Mo complexes containing 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene: synthesis and structure analysis

Two W/Mo complexes, [Et(3)NH](2)[WO(2)(C(10)H(6)O(2))(2)] (1) and [Et(3)NH](2)[MoO(2)(C(10)H(6)O(2))(2)] (2), were synthesized by the reaction of Na(2)WO(4) center dot 2H(2)O and (NH(4))(2)Mo(2)O(7) center dot 4H(2)O with 2,3-DHN (DHN = dihydroxynaphthalene) and triethylamine, and characterized by X-ray diffraction and IR. The two complexes exhibit chiral octahedral geometry at central metals, although the overall structure is racemic. Single crystals of 1 are more difficult to obtain than for 2. The molybdenum complex can be easily isolated at room temperature (around 25 degrees C), while the tungsten one needs to be isolated under 15 degrees C, otherwise, the quality of crystal will be poor, leading to disorder. The structures of these two complexes are chiral and enantiomorphous to each other.