Heterometallic cuboidal complexes as derivatives of the [MO3S4(H2O)9]4+ cluster

Heterometallic atoms can be incorporated into the Mo ₃ ^IV trinuclear ion Mo₃S₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺ to give cuboidal complexes of the kind Mo₃MS₄, or related edge-linked species {Mo₃MS₄}₂, or corner-shared Mo₃S₄MS₄Mo₃ double cubes, depending on the heteroatom used. All of the products formed can be obtained as aqua ions. With four recent additions there are now 15 different heterometal atoms participating in this chemistry from Cr in Group 6 to Bi in Group 15. Preparative procedures, X-ray crystal structures, and distinctive properties including UV-Vis spectra, elution characteristics using Dowexcation exchange chromatography, ICP metal analyses, and the stoichiometries of reactions in which the heterometallic product is oxidized back to Mo₃S₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺ (with release of the heterometal in an ionic form) are considered.Dedicated to Professor Jiaxi Lu on the occasion of his 80th birthday.