Pentabenzylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum and tungsten hydrides: Syntheses, structures and electrochemistry of [MHCp(CO)2(L)] (L = CO, PMe3, PPh3)

Complexes [MHCp^Bz(CO)₂(PR₃)] (R = CH₃, M = Mo (1); M = W (2); R = Ph, M = Mo (3); Cp^Bz = C₅(CH₂Ph)₅) were prepared by thermal decarbonylation of the corresponding [MHCp^Bz(CO)₃] in the presence of trimethyl- or triphenyl-phosphine. In solution the NMR spectra of all compounds show the presence of cis and trans isomers that interconvert at room temperature. In the solid state the molecular structures obtained for compounds 1 and 2 correspond to the trans isomers, while for 3 the cis isomer is present.The electrochemistry of [MoHCp^Bz(CO)₂(PMe₃)] (1), [MoHCp^Bz(CO)₃] (5), [WHCp^Bz(CO)₃] (6), [WCp^Bz(CO)₃]₂ (7), and [MCp^Bz(CO)₃(CH₃CN)]BF₄ (8), is described. The cleavage of M-H bonds takes place upon oxidation or reduction. Cations [MCp^Bz(CO)₂L(CH₃CN)]⁺ form in solvent-assisted M-H bond breaking upon oxidation of [MHCp^Bz(CO)₂L] (L = PMe₃, CO). Reduction of [MHCp^Bz(CO)₃] gives [MCp^Bz(CO)₃]⁻ and H₂. The presence of one PMe₃ ligand lowers the reduction potential and precludes the observation of reduction waves.     

Some complexes containing carbon chains end-capped by M(CO)2Tp′ [M = Mo, W; Tp′ = HB(pz)3, HB(dmpz)3] groups

Complexes M(CCCSiMe₃)(CO)₂Tp′ (Tp′ = Tp [HB(pz)₃], M = Mo 2, W 4; Tp′ = Tp^∗ [HB(dmpz)₃], M = Mo 3) are obtained from M(CCCSiMe₃)(O₂CCF₃)(CO)₂(tmeda) (1) and K[Tp′].Reactions of 2 or 4 with AuCl(PPh₃)/K₂CO₃ in MeOH afforded M{CCCAu(PPh₃)}(CO)₂Tp′ (M = Mo 5, W 6) containing C₃ chains linking the Group 6 metal and gold centres.In turn, the gold complexes react with Co₃(μ₃-CBr)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ to give the C₄-bridged {Tp(OC)₂M}CCCC{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (M = Mo 7, W 8), while Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Co₃{μ₃-C(CC)₂Au(PPh₃)}(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ give {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)₂C{Co₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₇} (9) via a phosphine-gold(I) halide elimination reaction. The C₃ complexes Tp′(OC)₂MCCCRu(dppe)Cp^∗ (Tp′ = Tp, M = Mo 10, W 11; Tp′ = Tp^∗, M = Mo 12) were obtained from 2-4 and RuCl(dppe)Cp^∗ via KF-induced metalla-desilylation reactions. Reactions between Mo(CBr)(CO)₂Tp^∗ and Ru{(CC)_nAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp^∗ (n = 2, 3) afforded {Tp^∗(OC)₂Mo}C(CC)_n{Ru(dppe)Cp^∗} (n = 2 13, 3 14), containing C₅ and C₇ chains, respectively. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 1, 2, 7, 8, 9 and 12 are reported.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and DFT studies of [Me3EM(CO)5] (E = Sb, Bi; M = Cr, W), cis-[(Me3Sb)2Mo(CO)4], and [Bu3BiFe(CO)4]

Syntheses of [Me₃SbM(CO)₅] [M = Cr (1), W (2)], [Me₃BiM(CO)₅] [M = Cr (3), W (4)], cis-[(Me₃Sb)₂Mo(CO)₄] (5), [^tBu₃BiFe(CO)₄] (6), crystal structures of 1-6 and DFT studies of 1-4 are reported.     

Backbone modified small bite-angle diphosphines: Synthesis and molecular structures of [M(CO)4{X2PC(RR)PX2}] (M = Mo, W; X = Ph, Cy; R = H, Me, Et, Pr, allyl, R = Me, allyl)

A range of new small bite-angle diphosphine complexes, [M(CO)₄{X₂PC(R¹R²)PX₂}] (M = Mo, W; X = Ph, Cy; R¹ = H, Me, Et, Pr, allyl, R² = Me, allyl), have been prepared via elaboration of the methylene backbones in [M(CO)₄(X₂PCH₂PX₂)] as a result of successive deprotonation and alkyl halide addition. When X = Ph it proved possible to replace both methylene protons but for X = Cy only one substitution proved possible. This is likely due to the electron-releasing nature of the cyclohexyl groups but may also be due to steric constraints. Attempts to prepare the bis(allyl) substituted complex [Mo(CO)₄{Ph₂PC(allyl)₂PPh₂}] were only moderately successful. The crystal structures of nine of these complexes are presented.     

Theoretical study on interaction of different coordination modes of BH4 ligand with transition metal in [TM(BH4)(CO)4] (TM = Cr, Mo)

Density functional calculations were performed on bonding and structural features of [(ηⁿ-BH₄)TM(CO)₄]⁻ (n = 1, 2, 3; TM = Cr, Mo) complexes. Calculations show that the ground state is bidentate which is in good agreement with experimental results. It has been found that the bridge and terminal hydrogen atoms will interchange by two pathways: (i) twist of BH₄ about one of the bridge B-H and (ii) twist of BH₄ about one of the terminal B-H. The molecular orbital calculations and natural bond orbital methodologies for different isomers of these complexes have been evaluated. The final results indicate that case (i) is more preferable relative to another case.     

The photochemistry of (η-2-R-C3H4)Fe(CO)(NO)(X) (R = H or Cl; X = CO or PPh3) in room temperature solution or frozen gas matrixes

A photochemical study of allyl iron complexes of the type, (η³-2-R-C₃H₄)Fe(CO)(NO)(X) (R = H or Cl; X = CO or PPh₃) is presented. These compounds were studied in solid matrixes at 20 K, and at room temperature, by a combination of laser flash at 355 nm and steady-state photolysis. The predominant photochemical process for these compounds is loss of a CO ligand. In addition, exhaustive irradiation of (η³-2-R-C₃H₄)Fe(CO)(NO)(PPh₃) with λ_exc > 300 nm provided evidence for a haptotropic shift of the allyl group from η³ to η¹ coordination.     

Selenium-capped trimolybdenum and tritungsten carbonyl clusters [Se2M3(CO)10] (M = Mo, W)

A facile synthesis of the novel selenium-capped trimolybdenum and tritungsten ring carbonyl clusters [Se₂M₃(CO)₁₀]²⁻ (M = Mo, 1; W, 4) have been achieved. The selenium-capped trimolybdenum cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Mo₃(CO)₁₀] ([Et₄N]₂[1]) can be obtained from the reaction of the trichromium cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₃(CO)₁₀] with 4 equiv. of Mo(CO)₆ in refluxing acetone. On the other hand, when [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₃(CO)₁₀] reacted with 4 equiv. of W(CO)₆ in refluxing acetone, the planar cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂W₄(CO)₁₈] ([Et₄N]₂[3]) was isolated, which could further transform to the tritungsten cluster compound [Et₄N]₂[Se₂W₃(CO)₁₀] ([Et₄N]₂[4]) in good yield. Alternatively, clusters 1 and 4 could be formed from the reactions of the monosubstituted products [Et₄N]₂[Se₂Cr₂M(CO)₁₀] (M = Mo; W, [Et₄N]₂[2]) with 3 equiv. of M(CO)₆ in acetone, respectively. Complexes 1-4 are fully characterized by IR, ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Clusters 1, 2, and 4 are isostructural and each display a trigonal bipyramidal structure with a homometallic M₃ ring (M = Mo, 1; W, 4) or a heterometallic Cr₂W ring that is further capped above and below by μ₃-Se atoms. Further, the intermediate planar complex 3 exhibits a Se₂W₂ square with each Se atom externally coordinated to one W(CO)₅ group. This paper describes a systematic route to a series of selenium-capped trimetallic carbonyl clusters and the formation and the structural features of the resultant clusters are discussed.     

Alkaline earth metal poly(hydrogen fluorides) hexafluoroarsenates(V) and hexafluorophosphate(V): M2(H2F3)(HF2)2(AF6) (M = Ca, A = As; M = Sr, A = As, P)

New compounds of the type M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) with M = Ca, A = As and M = Sr, A = As, P) were isolated. Ca₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared from Ca(AsF₆)₂ with repeated additions of neutral anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF). It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 714.67(10) pm, c = 1754.8(3) pm, V = 0.8963(2) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AsF₆) was prepared at room temperature by dissolving SrF₂ in aHF acidified with AsF₅ in mole ratio SrF₂:AsF₅ = 2:1. It crystallizes in a space group P4₃22 with a = 746.00(12) pm, c = 1805.1(5) pm, V = 1.0046(4) nm³ and Z = 4. Sr₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(PF₆) was prepared from Sr(XeF₂)_n(PF₆)₂ in neutral aHF. It crystallizes in a space group P4₁22 with a = 737.0(3) pm, c = 1793.7(14) pm, V = 0.9744(9) nm³ and Z = 4. The compounds M₂(H₂F₃)(HF₂)₂(AF₆) gradually lose HF at room temperature in a dynamic vacuum or during being powdered for recording IR spectra or X-ray powder ray diffraction patterns. All compounds are isotypical with coordination of nine fluorine atoms around a metal center forming a distorted Archimedian antiprism with one face capped. This is the first example of the compounds in which H₂F₃⁻ and HF₂⁻ anions simultaneously bridge metal centers forming close packed three-dimensional network of polymeric compounds with low solubility in aHF. The HF₂⁻ anions are asymmetric with usual F?F distances of 227.3-228.5 pm. Vibrational frequency (ν₁) of HF₂⁻ is close to that in NaHF₂. The anion H₂F₃⁻ exhibits unusually small F?F?F angle of 95.1°-97.6° most probably as a consequence of close packed structure.     

Syntheses and study on nickel and copper complexes with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid. Crystal and molecular structure of [Cu3(mdpta)3(btc)](ClO4)3 · 4H2O

Nickel and copper complexes containing 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, with a combination of selected N-donor ligands and Schiff bases, of the composition Ni₃(bimz)₆(btc)₂ · 12H₂O (1), Ni₃(btz)₉(btc)₂ · 12H₂O (2), Ni₂(L₁)(btc) · 7H₂O (3), Ni₃(L₂)₂(Hbtc) · 9H₂O (4), Ni₂(L₃)(btc) · 4H₂O (5), Cu₂(L₄)(btc) · 7H₂O (6), [Cu₃(pmdien)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃ · 6H₂O (7) and [Cu₃(mdpta)₃(btc)](ClO₄)₃ · 4H₂O (8); H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, bimz = benzimidazole, btz = 1,2,3-benztriazole, L₁ = 2-[(phenylimino)methyl]phenol, L₂ = N,N′-bis-(salicylidene)propylenediamine, L₃ = 2-{[(2-nitrophenyl)methylene]amino}phenol, L₄ = 2-[(4-methoxy-phenylimino)methyl]phenol, pmdien = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, mdpta = N,N-bis-(3-aminopropyl)methylamine, have been synthesized. The complexes have been studied by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis spectroscopies, magnetochemical and conductivity measurements and selected compounds also by thermal analysis. The crystal and molecular structure of complex 8 was solved. The complex is trinuclear with btc³⁻-bridge. The coordination polyhedron around each copper atom can be described as a distorted square with a CuON₃ chromophore formed by one oxygen atom of carboxylate and three nitrogen atoms of mdpta. The magnetic properties of 8 have been studied in the 1.8–300 K temperature range revealing a very weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction with J = −0.56 cm⁻¹ for g = 2.13(9). The antimicrobial activities against selected strains of bacteria were evaluated. It was found that only complex 5 is able to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus strains.     

Reassignment of the crystal space group of crystalline Pr[M(CN)6] · 5H2O (M = Cr,Fe, Co)

Refinement of the X-ray crystal structures of Pr[M(CN)₆] · 5H₂O (M = Cr, Fe, Co) enables their space group to be reassigned to P6₃/mmc. Spectral characteristics are reported for M = Cr and the distinction between the pentahydrate and tetrahydrate series is clearly made from assignments of the infrared spectra.     

Rearrangement and decomposition of (CH3)3M (M = Si, Ge, Sn) ions: A DFT study

Pathways for the rearrangement and decomposition of the (CH₃)₃M⁺ (M = Si, Ge, Sn) ions are traced by the detection of stationary points on the potential energy surfaces of these ions by the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ method. All three systems have stationary points similar in geometry, but very different in energy, especially on going from M = Si, Ge on the one hand to M = Sn on the other. In addition to previously found isomers of (CH₃)₃Si⁺ which have their analogs in the two other systems, “side-on” complexes with ethane and propane were revealed for all cations studied. Predicted changes in transition state and dissociation energies on going from M = Si to M = Sn allowed us to rationalize the trends for the relative decomposition product yields observed in mass-spectrometry studies of these cations.     

Stabilisation of heterobimetallic networks by crown ethers and hydrogen-bonding in [Ni(H2O)6][Cu3Cl8(H2O)2] · (15-crown-5)2 · 2H2O: Structure and magnetism

[Ni(H₂O)₆][Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂] · (15-crown-5)₂ · 2H₂O can be conveniently prepared by the interaction of NiCl₂ · 6H₂O, CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and 15-crown-5 in water. The X-ray crystal structure reveals an ionic complex involved in a hydrogen-bonded two dimensional network with the [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ and [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ ions sandwiched between the 15-crown-5 macrocycles. The magnetic susceptibility data (4–300 K) and magnetisation isotherms (2–5.5 K; 0–5 T) are best interpreted in terms of intra-trimer ferromagnetic coupling within the [Cu₃Cl₈(H₂O)₂]²⁻ moieties, with J ∼ 6 cm⁻¹, and antiferromagnetic coupling between the trimers, the latter mediated by H-bonding pathways. Comparisons are made to other reported quaternary ammonium salts of [Cu₃Cl₈]²⁻ and [Cu₃Cl₁₂]⁶⁻, most of which display structures that involve close stacking of such Cu(II) trimers, rather than being of the present isolated, albeit H-bonded, types.     

Bimetallic single-source precursors [M(NH3)4][Co(C2O4)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (M = Pd, Pt) for the one run synthesis of CoPd and CoPt magnetic nanoalloys

All the steps of the proposed technique, from the synthesis of single-source precursors to the preparation of CoPd and CoPt nanoalloys, are described. The double complex salts (DCS) [M(NH₃)₄][Co(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (M = Pd, Pt), which were synthesized by mixing solutions containing [M(NH₃)₄]²⁺ cations and [Co(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ anions, have been used as precursors. The salts obtained were characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis, XRD and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The prepared compounds crystallize in the monoclinic (space group I2/m, M = Pd) and orthorhombic (space group I222, M = Pt) crystal systems. Thermal decomposition of the salts in helium or hydrogen atmosphere at 200-600 °C results in the formation of nanoalloys powders (random solid solution Co_0.50Pd_0.50 and chemically ordered CoPt). The size of the bimetallic particles varied from 5 to 20 nm. Order-disorder structural transformations in Co_0.50Pt_0.50 nanoalloys were studied. The magnetic properties of both chemically disordered Co_0.50Pd_0.50 and ordered CoPt clusters have also been measured.     

Reactivity of ZrCl4 and HfCl4 with silylamines and thermal decomposition of the compounds [MCl4{NH(R)(SiR′3)}] (M = Zr,Hf, R = tBu,R′ = Me; R = SiR′3 = SiMe3, SiMe2H)

The Lewis acid/base adducts [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] (M = Zr, Hf; R = tBu, R′ = Me; R = SiR′₃ = SiMe₃, SiMe₂H) were synthesized by the 1:1 reaction of MCl₄ with NH(R)(SiR′₃) in dichloromethane solution at room temperature. The decomposition of [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] proceeds with the elimination of R′₃SiCl, as shown by thermogravimetric analysis. Pyrolysis of the compounds at 620 °C under inert conditions (N₂, vacuum) afforded powders of composition [ClMN] or [Cl₂MNH]. Preliminary low pressure chemical vapour deposition experiments show that [MCl₄{NH(R)(SiR′₃)}] deposits thin films of metal nitride contaminated with metal oxide.     

Synthesis,structure, optical and magnetic properties of [CrL(X)3], {L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine; X = Cl,N3, NCS}

Three complexes of composition [CrL(X)₃], where L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and X = Cl⁻, N₃⁻, NCS⁻ are synthesized. They are characterized by IR, UV–Vis, fluorescence, EPR spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic studies. Structural studies reveal that the Cr(III) ion is coordinated by three N atoms of L in a meridional fashion. The three anions occupy the other three coordination sites completing the mer-N₃Cl₃ (1) and mer-N₃N₃ (2 and 3), distorted octahedral geometry. The Cr–N2 has a shorter length than the Cr–N1 and Cr–N3 distances and the order Cr–N(NCS⁻) < Cr–N(N₃⁻) < Cr–Cl is observed. They exhibit some of the d–d transitions in the visible and intra-ligand transitions in the UV regions. The lowest energy d–d transition follows the trend [CrLCl₃] < [CrL(N₃)₃] < [CrL(NCS)₃] consistent with the spectrochemical series. In DMF, they exhibit fluorescence having π → π^∗ character. All the complexes show a rhombic splitting as well as zero-field splitting (zfs) in X-band EPR spectra at 77 K.     

Alkynyl Ti-M complexes based on M(CO)4 and MO2 building blocks (M = Mo, W)

The synthesis and properties of heterobimetallic Ti-M complexes of type {[[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)][M(μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)(CO)₄]} (M = Mo: 5, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 6, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti; M = W: 7, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 8, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) and {[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)₂}MO₂ (M = Mo: 13, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 14, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti). M = W: 15, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 16, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) are reported. Compounds 5-8 were accessible by treatment of [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂ (1, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Ti; 2, [Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) with [M(CO)₅(thf)] (3, M = Mo; 4, M = W) or [M(CO)₄(nbd)] (9, M = Mo; 10, M = W; nbd = bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-diene), while 13-16 could be obtained either by the subsequent reaction of 1 and 2 with [M(CO)₃(MeCN)₃] (11, M = Mo; 12, M = W) and oxygen, or directly by oxidation of 5-8 with air. A mechanism for the formation of 5-8 is postulated based on the in-situ generation of [Ti](CCSiMe₃)((η²-CCSiMe₃)M(CO)₅), {[Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)₂}-M(CO)₄, and [Ti](μ-η¹:η²-CCSiMe₃)((μ-CCSiMe₃)M(CO)₄) as a result of the chelating effect exerted by the bis(alkynyl) titanocene fragment and the steric constraints imposed by the M(CO)₄ entity.The molecular structure of 5 in the solid state were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In doubly alkynyl-bridged 5 the alkynides are bridging the metals Ti and Mo as a σ-donor to one metal and as a π-donor to the other with the [Ti](CCSiMe₃)₂Mo core being planar.     

Quantum chemistry studies on the Ru-M interactions and the P NMR in [Ru(CO)3(Ph2Ppy)2(MCl2)] (M = Zn, Cd, Hg)

To study the Ru-M interactions and their effects on ³¹P NMR, complexes [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂] (py = pyridine) (1) and [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂MCl₂] (M = Zn, 2; Cd, 3; Hg, 4) were calculated by density functional theory (DFT) PBE0 method. Moreover, the PBE0-GIAO method was employed to calculate the ³¹P chemical shifts in complexes. The calculated ³¹P chemical shifts in 1-3 follow 2 > 3 > 1 which are consistent to experimental results, proving that PBE0-GIAO method adopted in this study is reasonable. This method is employed to predict the ³¹P chemical shift in designed complex 4. Compared with 1, the ³¹P chemical shifts in 2-4 vary resulting from adjacent Ru-M interactions. The Ru → M or Ru ← M charge-transfer interactions in 2-4 are revealed by second-order perturbation theory. The strength order of Ru → M interactions is the same as that of the P-Ru → M delocalization with Zn > Cd > Hg, which coincides with the order of ³¹P NMR chemical shifts. The interaction of Ru → M, corresponding to the delocalization from 4d orbital of Ru to s valence orbital of M²⁺, results in the delocalization of P-Ru → M, which decreases the electron density of P nucleus and causes the downfield ³¹P chemical shifts. Except 2, the back-donation effect of Ru ← M, arising from the delocalization from s valence orbital of M²⁺ to the valence orbital of Ru, is against the P-Ru → M delocalization and results in the upfield ³¹P chemical shifts in 4. Meanwhile, the binding energies indicate that complex 4 is stable and can be synthesized experimentally. However, as complex [Ru(CO)₃(Ph₂Ppy)₂HgCl]⁺5 is more stable than 4, the reaction of 1 with HgCl₂ only gave 5 experimentally.     

Unsaturation in trinuclear cobalt carbonyl compounds of the type ECo3(CO)n (E = CH,CF, P,As; n = 9, 8, 7, 6) with Co3E tetrahedrane structures

Theoretical studies on the known trinuclear cobalt carbonyl derivatives ECo₃(CO)₉ (E = CH, CF, P, As) predict structures with carbonyl groups bridging each edge of the Co₃ triangle in contrast with experiment where structures with all terminal carbonyl groups are found in all cases. However, the energy differences are predicted to be rather small ranging from 4 ± 2 kcal/mol for FCCo₃(CO)₉ to 10 ± 3 kcal/mol for AsCo₃(CO)₉. The global minima for the unsaturated ECo₃(CO)_n (n = 8, 7, 6) derivatives generally have two (for n = 8) or three (for n = 7 and 6) carbonyl groups bridging the edges of the Co₃ triangle. However, structures with all terminal carbonyl groups are also found in all cases as well as higher energy structures in which one of the carbonyl groups bridges all three cobalt atoms. The fluoromethinyl derivatives FCCo₃(CO)_n (n = 9, 8, 7) are anomalous since their unbridged structures or structures with a carbonyl group bridging all three cobalt atoms are closer in energy to the doubly or triply bridged global minima than is the case for the other ECo₃(CO)_n derivatives.