Synthesis of planar macrocyclic tetradentate phosphine–Mo complexes

The synthesis of transition-metal complexes bearing a macrocyclic tetradentate phosphine ligand is relatively undeveloped. Herein, an open-chain tetradentate phosphine ligand with two P-containing rings was synthesized and coordinated to a Mo-oxo template. After deprotonation and cyclization with suitable alkyl chains, a series of planar macrocyclic tetradentate phosphine-Mo complexes was obtained without stereoisomers.