Polynuclear cobalt(II/III) sulfites: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of the octanuclear cluster (NH4)11(Li subset[Co4IICo4III(SO3)16(NH3)8]).10H2O encapsulating a lithium cation

Partial oxidation of an aqueous solution of CoIICl(2).6H2O with (NH4)6Mo7VIO24].4H2O in the presence of (NH4)2SO3.H2O and LiCl, at pH approximately 5.3, leads to isolation of the octanuclear cluster (NH4)11(Li subsetCo4IICo4III(SO3)16(NH3)8].10H2O), 1. The structure of the anion of 1 consists of a central Co4II], almost ideal square planar unit, and a pair of symmetry-related CoIII dimers above and below the Co4II plane grafting onto the tetramer by 16 bridging sulfite groups. The Co8(SO3)16(NH3)8]12- cluster encapsulates a lithium cation which lies at the center of the Co4II square.