Molybdenum(VI) Methoxyethoxides. Synthesis and Structure of MoO2(OC2H4OMe)2 and Polymeric NaMoO2(OC2H4OMe)3

Reaction of MoO(OEt)₄ with an excess of methoxyethanol leads to the formation of MoO(OC₂H₄OMe)₄, which decomposes to give complex MoO₂(OC₂H₄OMe)₂ 1, an X-ray structural study of which shows that its crystals are constructed of monomeric molecules with both methoxyethoxide groups forming chelate rings around the molybdenum atoms; interaction of 1 with NaOC₂H₄OMe in methoxyethanol results in the formation of a complex NaMoO₂(OC₂H₄OMe)₃ 2, whose polymeric structure, established by X-ray analysis, contains a planar tetranuclear fragment analoguous to that found in Ti₄(OMe)₁₆.