Production of C6O6- from oligomerization of CO on molybdenum anions.

C6O6- has been observed in mass spectra of the anionic reaction products between small molybdenum suboxide clusters and carbon monoxide. No other free oxocarbanions were observed, nor were any dianions. The anion photoelectron spectrum of C6O6- shows that the neutral has an adiabatic electron affinity of 2.54(5) eV and an excited triplet state with a term energy of 1.0(1) eV. Analysis of the mass spectra suggests that C6O6- may be forming from oligomerization of CO on bare or highly reduced molybdenum anion centers.