The electronic spectra and structures of binuclear transition metal compounds which contain a quadruple metal-metal bond are discussed. Experimental results are presented for the electric-dipole forbidden transitions of (n-Bu4)2Re2Cl8, (n-Bu4)2Re2Br8, Mo2(O2CCH3)4, Mo2(O2CCD3)4, Mo2(O2CH)4, and Mo2(O2CCF3)4. The near infrared absorption system in K3Mo2(SO4)4 · 3.5 H2O has also been analyzed. Aqueous acid solutions of Mo2(SO4)44-, Mo2(aq)4+, and Mo2Cl84- yield molecular hydrogen and oxidized molybdenum products upon ultraviolet irradiation. The compounds Mo2Cl4P4 (P = P(n-Bu)3, P(Et)3 and P(Et)(Ph)2) undergo photooxidation to chloride bridged binuclear Mo(III) compounds subsequent to 254 nm irradiation in chlorocarbon solvents. The nature of these photooxidation reactions are examined.
William Charles Trogler (Tue,) studied this question.