Molybdenum/cobalt/sulfur clusters: Models and precursors for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts

Sulfido clusters which incorporate molybdenum and a late transition metal, e.g. iron, cobalt or nickel, are readily prepared by the reactions of Cp 2 Mo 2 S 4 , Cp 2 Mo 2 S 2 (SR) 2 or Cp 2 Mo 2 (CO) 2 (SR) 2 with Fe 2 (CO) 9 , Co 2 (CO) 8 , Ni(CO) 4 , Cp 2 Ni, etc. The homogeneous reactions of the cluster Cp 2 Mo 2 Co 2 S 3 (CO) 4 with thiols, thiophene, and phosphines are reviewed, as are some reactions of the clusters with metal oxide surfaces to produce heterogeneous catalysts for CO hydrogenation or hydrodesulfurization.