Tungsten hexacarbonyl (also called tungsten carbonyl) is an organometallic compound with the formula W(CO)6. This complex gave rise to the first example of a dihydrogen complex.[2]

Tungsten hexacarbonyl
Names
IUPAC name
Hexacarbonyltungsten
Other names
Tungsten carbonyl
Hexacarbonylwolfram
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ECHA InfoCard 100.034.423 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 237-880-2
  • InChI=1/6CO.W/c6*1-2;
  • O=C=[W](=C=O)(=C=O)(=C=O)(=C=O)=C=O
Properties
C6O6W
Molar mass 351.901 g/mol
Appearance Colorless solid
Density 2.65 g/cm3
Melting point 170 °C (338 °F; 443 K) (decomposes)
insoluble
Solubility sparingly in THF
Hazards
Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH):
Main hazards
Flammable, CO source
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 0: Will not burn. E.g. waterInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
0
0
Safety data sheet (SDS) External SDS
Related compounds
Other cations
Chromium hexacarbonyl
Molybdenum hexacarbonyl


Seaborgium hexacarbonyl[1]

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Like its chromium and molybdenum analogs, this colorless compound is noteworthy as a volatile, air-stable derivative of tungsten in its zero oxidation state.

Preparation, properties, and structure

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Like many metal carbonyls, W(CO)6 is generally prepared by "reductive carbonylation", which involves the reduction of a metal halide with under an atmosphere of carbon monoxide. As described in a 2023 survey of methods "most cost-effective routes for the synthesis of group 6 hexacarbonyls are based on the reduction of the metal chlorides (CrCl3, MoCl5 or WCl6) with magnesium, zinc or aluminium powders... under CO pressures".[3] The compound is relatively air-stable. It is sparingly soluble in nonpolar organic solvents. Tungsten carbonyl is widely used in electron beam-induced deposition technique - it is easily vaporized and decomposed by the electron beam providing a convenient source of tungsten atoms.[4]

W(CO)6 adopts an octahedral geometry consisting of six rod-like CO ligands radiating from the central W atom with dipole moment 0 debye.

Reactivity

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All reactions of W(CO)6 commence with displacement of some CO ligands in W(CO)6. W(CO)6 behaves similarly to the Mo(CO)6 but tends to form compounds that are kinetically more robust.

 
Cyclopentadienyltungsten tricarbonyl dimer ((C5H5.)2W2(CO)6) is produced from W(CO)6.

Treatment of tungsten hexacarbonyl with sodium cyclopentadienide followed by oxidation of the resulting NaW(CO)3(C5H5) gives cyclopentadienyltungsten tricarbonyl dimer.[5]

One derivative is the dihydrogen complex W(CO)3[P(C6H11)3]2(H2).[2]

Three of these CO ligands can be displaced by acetonitrile.[6] W(CO)6 has been used to desulfurize organosulfur compounds and as a precursor to catalysts for alkene metathesis.

Safety and handling

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Like all metal carbonyls, W(CO)6 is a dangerous source of volatile metal as well as CO.

References

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  1. ^ Even, J.; Yakushev, A.; Dullmann, C. E.; Haba, H.; Asai, M.; Sato, T. K.; Brand, H.; Di Nitto, A.; Eichler, R.; Fan, F. L.; Hartmann, W.; Huang, M.; Jager, E.; Kaji, D.; Kanaya, J.; Kaneya, Y.; Khuyagbaatar, J.; Kindler, B.; Kratz, J. V.; Krier, J.; Kudou, Y.; Kurz, N.; Lommel, B.; Miyashita, S.; Morimoto, K.; Morita, K.; Murakami, M.; Nagame, Y.; Nitsche, H.; et al. (2014). "Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex". Science. 345 (6203): 1491–3. Bibcode:2014Sci...345.1491E. doi:10.1126/science.1255720. PMID 25237098. S2CID 206558746. (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b Kubas, G. J., Metal Dihydrogen and σ-Bond Complexes, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers: New York, 2001
  3. ^ Bruno, Sofia M.; Valente, Anabela A.; Gonçalves, Isabel S.; Pillinger, Martyn (2023). "Group 6 Carbonyl Complexes of N,O,P-Ligands as Precursors of High-Valent Metal-Oxo Catalysts for Olefin Epoxidation". Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 478: 214983. doi:10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214983. hdl:10773/40120. S2CID 255329673.
  4. ^ Randolph, S.; Fowlkes, J.; Rack, P. (2006). "Focused, Nanoscale Electron-Beam-Induced Deposition and Etching". Critical Reviews of Solid State and Materials Sciences. 31 (3): 55. Bibcode:2006CRSSM..31...55R. doi:10.1080/10408430600930438. S2CID 93769658.
  5. ^ Manning, A. R.; Hacket, Paul; Birdwhistell, Ralph (1990). Hexacarbonylbis(η5-Cyclopentadienyl)Dichromium, Molybdenum, and Tungsten and their Analogs, M25-C5H4R)2(CO)6 (M = Cr, Mo, and W; R = H, Me or PhCH2). Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 28. pp. 148–149. doi:10.1002/9780470132593.ch39. ISBN 978-0-470-13259-3.
  6. ^ Kubas, G. J.; van der Sluys, L. S. (1990). "TricarbonylTris(nitrile) Complexes of Cr, Mo, and W". Inorganic Syntheses. Vol. 28. pp. 29–33. doi:10.1002/9780470132593.ch6. ISBN 978-0-470-13259-3.