The new diphenolato complexes [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)
3}Cl}
2Q] where dmpz = 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl and Q = OC
6H
4(C
6H
4)
nC
6H
4O (
n = 1 or 2), OC
6H
4CR
CRC
6H
4O (R = H or Et), and OC
6H
4 CH
CHC
6H
4CH
CHC
6H
4O have been prepared and their electrochemical properties (cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry) compared with previously reported analogues where Q = OC
6H
4O, OC
6H
4EC
6H
4O (E = SO
2, CO and S), OC
6H
4 (CO)C
6H
4 C
6H
4(CO)C
6H
4O and 1,5- and 2,7-O
2C
10H
6. The electrochemical interaction between the redox centres in the new complexes is very weak, in contrast to that in the 1,4-benzenediolato and naphthalendiolato species. The EPR spectra of the reduced mixed-valence species [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)
3}Cl}
2Q]
− where Q = 1,3- and 1,4-OC
6H
4O and OC
6H
4SC
6H
4O shows that they are valence-trapped at room temperature, whereas those of the dianions [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)
3}Cl}
2Q]
2− where Q = 1,4-OC
6H
4O, OC
6H
4EC
6H
4O (E = CO or S) and OC
6H
4CH
CHC
6H
4CH
CHC
6H
4O shows that the unpaired spins on each molybdenum centre are strongly correlated (
J, the spin exchange integral
A
Mo, the metal-hyperfine coupling constant). The electrochemical properties and the comproportionation constants for the reaction [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)
3} Cl}
2Q]+ [{Mo(NO){HB(dmpz)
3}Cl}
2Q]
2− 2[{Mo(NO) {HB(dmpz)
3}Cl}
2Q]
− where Q = diphenolato bridge, are compared with related compounds containing benzenediamido and dianilido bridges.