Kinetic data are reported for the reactions of Mo(CO)5L (where L1=P(c-Hx)3, P(n-Bu)3, NMe3, py, PPh3, AsPh3, P(OEt)3, or P(OMe)3) with L in the presence of Me3NO to form cis-Mo(CO)4L2. The rates of reactions are second order: first order in Mo(CO)5L concentration, first order in Me3NO concentration, and zero order in L concentration. For ligand L with cone angles less than 135*, the rates of reaction increase with increasing stretching frequency of the CO bands in the IR. This supports the proposed mechanism, which involves attack by the O atom of Me3NO on a C of a CO cis to L in Mo(CO)sL. For L=PPh3 or AsPh3, the reactions are faster than expected on the basis of their vco values, and this is discussed in terms of steric effects.