Clicking [Mo(CO)₃(triphos)] to an azide-terminated alkylthiol SAM: structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical investigations

The synthesis and characterization of a new, linear triphos-type pincer ligand furnished with an ethynyl moiety in the ligand backbone (etPP^PhTMSP) and the derived tricarbonyl complex [Mo(CO)₃(etPP^PhTMSP)] are described. Deprotection of the latter leads to [Mo(CO)₃(etPP^PhHP)] which in turn is clicked onto an N₃-terminated Au-surface. The resulting monolayer is characterized by XPS, IRRAS and cyclic voltammetry, providing information on its chemical composition, the degree of surface coverage and the orientation of the headgroup. On the basis of these results, a protocol for the functionalization of surfaces with redox-active transition metal complexes for applications in, <i>e.g.</i>, electrocatalysis is developed.