Molybdenum-molybdenum multiple bonding in homoleptic molybdenum carbonyls: comparison with their chromium analogues.

The binuclear molybdenum carbonyls Mo(2)(CO)(n) (n = 11, 10, 9, 8) have been studied by density functional theory using the BP86 and MPW1PW91 functionals. The lowest energy Mo(2)(CO)(11) structure is a singly bridged singlet structure with a Mo-Mo single bond. This structure is essentially thermoneutral toward dissociation into Mo(CO)(6) + Mo(CO)(5), suggesting limited viability similar to the analogous Cr(2)(CO)(11).