A cocrystal of two Mo(VI) complexes bearing different diastereomers of the 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{[(1-oxido-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)(methyl)amino]methyl}phenolate ligand derived from (+)-ephedrine

Abstract

The title cocrystal contains two chiral conformational diastereomers, viz. (1S,2R,RN)- and (1S,2R,SN)-, of [2,4-ditert-butyl-6-{[(1-oxido-1-phenylpropan-2-yl)(methyl)amino]- methyl}phenolato](methanol)-cis-dioxidomolybdenum(VI), [Mo(C25H35NO2)O2(CH3OH)], representing the first example of a structurally characterized molybdenum complex with enantiomerically pure ephedrine derivative ligands. The MoVI cations exhibit differently distorted octahedral coordination environments, with two oxide ligands positioned cis to each other. The remainder of the coordination comprises phenoxide, alkoxide and methanol O atoms, with an amine N atom completing the octahedron. The distinct complexes are linked by strong intermolecular O—HO hydrogen bonds, resulting in one-dimensional molecular chains. Furthermore, the phenyl rings are involved in weak T-shaped/edge-to-face – interactions with each other.