Crystal and molecular structure of [bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]-tetracarbonylmolybdenum

[Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]tetracarbonylmolybdenum crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with Z= 4 in a unit cell of dimensions a= 16·33, b= 9·44, c= 18·02 Å, β= 103·8°. After Fourier and least-squares refinement the final R index is 0·112 for 4438 independent reflections. The co-ordination round the molybdenum atom is approximately octahedral. The Mo–C bonds (mean 1·93 Å)trans to phosphorus atoms are significantly shorter than those (mean 2·04 Å)trans to carbon atoms. The mean Mo–P distance is 2·518 Å.