Molybdenum and Tungsten Carbonyl Compounds Generate Carbonyl Sulfide (COS), but not Carbonyl Selenide (COSe), when Treated with Elemental Sulfur and Selenium

Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is implicated in prebiotic chemistry, and recent work on COS/H2S donors has invigorated COS chemistry. We demonstrate that [TpM(CO)3]- (M=Mo,W) react with S8 to form COS, but form [TpW(CO)2]2Se3 not COSe upon reaction with Se. These results advance the metal-mediated interconnectivity of CO and reactive S/Se species.