Stepwise Assembly of [(C5H5)4(C5Me5)4Co4Rh4(CN)12]4+, an “Organometallic Box”

A volume of 132 Å ³ is enclosed by the title compound 1 , which thus offers plenty of room for potential guest molecules. The synthesis from 2 {Cp*RhCl₂}₂] and 4 CpCo(CN)₃]⁻ begins with the construction of a “molecular square” whose corners are alternately occupied by Co and Rh centers. Two squares react with one another to give a “molecular box” without cleavage of any M–C bonds. Cp=C₅H₅, Cp*=C₅Me₅.