CpMoCo2(CO)8CCO+: Synthesis and characterization of a mixed metal acylium cation

CpMoCo2(CO)8CCO2CHMe2 in propionic anhydride reacts with HPF6 to yield the mixed metal acylium cation CpMoCo2(CO)8CCO+ which reacts with a variety of nucleophiles, e.g., ROH, R2NH, yielding cluster-bound esters and amides, respectively. The cation also reacts with PhNMe2 in a Friedel-Crafts process. In the presence of water, Co3(CO)9CCO+ can also decompose to yield the neutral dimer [(Co3(CO)9C]2.