Mechanism of the Reverse Water–Gas Shift Reaction Catalyzed by Cu<Subscript>12</Subscript>TM Bimetallic Nanocluster: A Density Functional Theory Study

Density functional theory calculations were carried out to investigate Cu₁₂TM (TM = Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Ag, Au) bimetallic metal catalysts for the mechanism of reverse water–gas shift (RWGS) reaction. The three possible reaction pathways relevant to the RWGS reaction are explored, including the CO₂ dissociation, carboxyl, and formate mechanisms. Our results indicate that the RWGS reaction prefers to follow the CO₂ dissociation mechanism on Cu₁₂TM surfaces. A detailed potential energy diagram of the kinetically favored mechanism is presented that shows that the RDS of reaction are the formation of H₂O and carboxyl (HOCO), formate (HCOO) dissociation, respectively. And, Cu₁₂TM (TM = Co, Pt) are lower than other catalysts from the energy barrier of elementary step. Moreover, the catalytic behavior of a Cu₁₂TM cluster is changed significantly due to the modifiers, via the electron transfer from TM to Cu-based cluster, and the activation barrier decreases with doped TM. The turnover frequency of the Cu₁₂Co is the highest value, which thus is more efficiency catalyst to RWGS reaction. To gain insights into the synergistic effect in catalytic activity of the Cu₁₂TM bimetallic cluster, a projected density of states analysis has been performed. Our works will be important for predicting the energetic trends and designing a better catalyst of RWGS reaction.     

Iridium–Ruthenium Cluster Complexes with SnPh<Subscript>3</Subscript> Ligands from the Reaction of IrRu<Subscript>3</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>13</Subscript>(μ-H) with HSnPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The reaction of IrRu₃(CO)₁₃(μ-H), 1 with HSnPh₃ in hexane solvent at reflux has provided the new mixed metal cluster compounds Ir₂Ru₂(CO)₁₁(SnPh₃)(μ-H)₃, 2 and IrRu₃(CO)₁₁(SnPh₃)₃(μ-H)₄, 3 containing SnPh₃ ligands. Compound 2 which was obtained in low yield (3%) contains one SnPh₃, two iridium atoms and two ruthenium atoms. The increase in the number of iridium atoms must have resulted from a metal–metal exchange process. The major product 3 (19% yield) contains an open cluster of one iridium and three ruthenium atoms with three SnPh₃ ligands and four hydride ligands. Both compounds were characterized structurally by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Platinum–Ruthenium Cluster Complexes from the Reaction of Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>12</Subscript> with Pt(PBu<Superscript>t</Superscript><Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Three new platinum–ruthenium complexes: Pt₃Ru₃(PBu^t ₃)₃(CO)₁₂, 8, Pt₅Ru₃(PBu^t ₃)₃(CO)₁₂, 9 and PtRu₃(PBu^t ₃)₂(CO)₈(μ₃-PBu^t)(μ-H)₂, 10 were obtained from the reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with Pt(PBu^t ₃)₂. Compound 8 was obtained from this reaction when conducted at 25 °C. Compounds 9 and 10 were obtained when the reaction was conducted at 68 °C. The structure of 8 consists of a central triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with one Pt(PBu^t ₃) group bridging each of the three Ru–Ru bonds. The structure of 9 consists of a capped pentagonal bipyramidal cluster of eight metal atoms that is formed formally by the addition of two platinum atoms to 8. The structure of 10 contains a triangular cluster of three ruthenium atoms with a Pt(PBu^t ₃) group bridging one of the Ru–Ru bonds. A t-butyl phosphido ligand formed by degradation of a molecule of PBu^t ₃ bridges the three ruthenium atoms. This report is dedicated to the memory of Professor F. A. Cotton for his many pioneering contributions to inorganic and metal cluster chemistry.     

Thermodynamic properties and molar heat capacity of Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Asp)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Im)<Subscript>8</Subscript>(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>·10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A complex of Erbium perchloric acid coordinated with l-aspartic acid and imidazole, Er₂(Asp)₂(Im)₈(ClO₄)₆·10H₂O was synthesized for the first time. It was characterized by IR and elements analysis. The heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of the complex were studied with an adiabatic calorimeter (AC) from 80 to 390 K and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) from 100 to 300 K. Glass transition and phase transition were discovered at 220.45 and 246.15 K, respectively. The glass transition was interpreted as a freezing-in phenomenon of the reorientational motion of ClO⁴⁻ ions and the phase transition was attributed to the orientational order/disorder process of ClO⁴⁻ ions. The thermodynamic functions [H _T  − H _298.15] and [S _T  − S _298.15] were derived in the temperature range from 80 to 390 K with temperature interval of 5 K. Thermal decomposition behavior of the complex in nitrogen atmosphere was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

[Ca(OPPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>5</Subscript>][Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Cl)<Subscript>8</Subscript>Cl<Subscript>6</Subscript>] · OPPh<Subscript>3</Subscript>: Synthesis and crystal structure

A solvatothermal reaction of the octahedral cluster molybdenum complex (H₃O)₂[Mo₆(μ₃-Cl)₈Cl₆] · 6H₂O with CaCl₂ · 6H₂O and OPPh₃ in acetonitrile gave the known polymeric complex trans-[{Ca(OPPh₃)₄}{Mo₆(μ₃-Cl)₈Cl₆}]_∞. However, a closer examination revealed that this system also produces a novel cluster complex, [Ca(OPPh₃)₅][Mo₆(μ₃-Cl)₈Cl₆] · OPPh₃, which was isolated and characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Thermodynamic characteristics of europium pivalate binuclear complexes Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Piv)<Subscript>6</Subscript> and [Eu<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Piv)<Subscript>6</Subscript> · (Phen)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Sublimation of europium pivalate binuclear complexes Eu₂(Piv)₆ and [Eu₂(Piv)₆ · (Phen)₂] (Piv = (CH₃)₃CCOO, Phen = C₁₂H₈N₂) in the temperature range of 383–660 K is studied by the Knudsen effusion method with mass-spectrometric analysis of the gas phase. The vaporization of Eu₂(Piv)₆ is shown to be accompanied by polymerization and the formation of Eu₂(Piv)₆ and Eu₄(Piv)₁₂ molecules. The saturated vapor over the mixed-ligand complex of europium pivalate with o-phenanthroline consists of Phen, Eu₂(Piv)₆, and Eu₄(Piv)₁₂ molecules. The partial pressures of the gas components, as well as the standard enthalpies of sublimation and dissociation of the reaction proceeding with removal of phenanthroline have been determined.     

Synthesis and structure of a new molecular octahedral cluster complex Mo<Subscript>6</Subscript>Se<Subscript>8</Subscript>(Ph<Subscript>3</Subscript>P)<Subscript>6</Subscript>·2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Mo₆Se₈(Ph₃P)₆·2H₂O cluster complex has been synthesized and its structure has been defined. The compound is triclinic, space group P1ˉ, with unit cell parameters a = 14.3356(5) Å, b = 15.7882(4) Å, c = 25.3949(8) Å, = 95.9750(10)°, β = 91.1030(10)°, γ= 112.2570(10)°, V = 5279.8(3) ų, Z = 2, ρ_calc = 1.772 g/cm³. The complex has a molecular structure. The molybdenum atoms of the {Mo₆Se₈} cluster nucleus are coordinated by the phosphorus atoms of triphenylphosphine molecules. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2007 by Yu. V. Mironov, Zh. S. Kozhomuratova, D. Yu. Naumov, and V. E. Fedorov __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 389–393, March–April, 2007.     

Framework coordination polymer based on the [Re<Subscript>3</Subscript>Mo<Subscript>3</Subscript>S<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>6–</Superscript>heterometallic cluster anions and Cd<Superscript>2+</Superscript> cations

A new coordination polymer, [Cd(NH₃)₄]₂{Cd[Re₃Mo₃S₈(CN)₆]}·1.5H₂O (I), was prepared by the reaction between solutions of Cd(CH₃COO)₂ · 2H₂O in aqueous ammonia and CaK₄[Re₃Mo₃S₈(CN)₆] · 8H₂O in water. The crystals are cubic, space group Fm3m (Prussian blue structural type); a = 15.0268(4) Å (CIF file CSD no. 431555). According to ESR data, compound I is paramagnetic, g-factor is 2.298. Thermal stability investigation by TGA and powder X-ray diffraction showed that elimination of coordinated NH₃ molecules is accompanied by sample amorphization.     

Synthesis,structure, and some reactions of the cluster complex [(μ-H)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Fe<Subscript>5</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Se)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>14</Subscript>]

In the reaction of Na₂Se with [Fe(CO)₅] in isopropanol with subsequent acidification with HCl, which is used to synthesize [(μ-H)₂Fe₃(μ₃-Se)(CO)₉] (II), the cluster [(μ-H)₂Fe₅(μ₃-Se)₂(CO)₁₄] (I) was detected. In assumption that compound I could serve as a suitable synthon for preparing the bulky heterometallic clusters, its reactions with the Rh-containing complexes were studied. The reaction of I with [Rh(CO)₂Cp*] (Cp* is pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) was found to give a mixture of the products. The main reaction products were isolated and their structures were determined: [Fe₂Rh(μ₃-Se)₂(CO)₆Cp*], [Fe₂Rh(μ₃-Se)(μ₃-CO)(CO)₆Cp*], [FeRh₂(μ₃-Se)(μ-CO)(CO)₃Cp ₂ ^* ], [Fe₂Rh₂(μ₄-Se)(μ-CO)₄(CO)₂Cp ₂ ^* ]. Potassium hydride treatment of II with subsequent addition of [Cp*Rh(CH₃CN)₃](CF₃SO₃)₂ leads to the well-known cluster complex [Fe₃Rh(μ₄-Se)(CO)₉Cp*]. A set of the reaction products indicates that the {Fe₅Se₂} core cannot be used as one-piece “building block” in the synthesis of heterometallic clusters.     

Electron Transfer Reaction between M-C_6H_6 and M~ -C_6H_6 Complexes in the Gas Phase: Density Functional Theory Study

Significant progress has been made in understanding the nature of the transition state andthe paths for electron transfer, especially the influences of environmental factors and themolecular properties on the electron transfer rate. These classical and semi-classical, aswell as quantum-mechanical theory, have been very successful in rationalizing severalstructure-reactivity relationships and in predicting novel features of reactivity. Thesemodels established some links between the electron tra…     

Density Functional Study on Structure and Bonding Nature of CO Adsorbed Rh<Stack><Subscript>n</Subscript><Superscript>+/−</Superscript></Stack> (n = 2–8) Clusters

Systematic investigations on lowest energy CO adsorbed neutral and ionic Rh_n (n = 2–8) clusters in the gas phase are performed with all electron relativistic method using density functional theory within the generalized gradient approximation. Geometrical and electronic parameters are evaluated to understand the bonding nature as well as the binding interaction of CO on stable neutral and ionic rhodium clusters. Anionic adducts exhibit higher adsorption energy along with smaller Rh–C and larger C–O bond distances in comparison to neutral and cationic Rh_nCO (n = 2–8) clusters. Synergic bond formation is noticed between rhodium and carbon atom of CO molecule due to back-donation of electron from metal d-orbitals to π* orbital of CO in the case of anionic and some neutral clusters. Angular and Mülliken charge analysis along with electron density distribution suggest that anionic rhodium clusters form strong bond with carbon atom of CO than the neutral and cationic clusters.     

Magnetic properties of a linear trinuclear manganese compound [Mn<Subscript>3</Subscript>(PhCO<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>(Bipy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The reaction of the trinuclear oxo-centered mixed-valence complex [Mn₃O(O₂CPh)₆(Py)₂(H₂O)] with 2,2′-bipyridyl (Bipy) and another potential tripodal ligand affords the title compound [Mn₃(PhCO₂)₆(Bipy)₂] · H₂O in good yield. The X-ray crystallographic diffraction study reveals that three mangenese ions are arranged in a linear mode with Mn_center-Mn_terminal and Mn_terminal-Mn_terminal diatances of 3.588 and 7.176 Å, respectively. Molar magnetic susceptibility of the compound gradually decreases from 12.23 (300 K) to 4.45 cm³ K mol^?1 (2 K). Taking into account the structure of this compound, the data in the 2.0–300 K range were fit to the appropriate theoretical expression to give J = ?2.73 cm^?1, ρ = 2.07%, N _a = ?0.0004 cm³ mol^?1, g = 1.992, and R ² = 0.99996. The magnetization versus external magnetic field measurements at 2 K shows that the ground state is S _T = 5/2.     

High-temperature reactions in the Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>4</Subscript>(PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>–Cr(PO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

A new dichromium(III) cobalt(II) diphosphate(V) of the formula CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was detected in the Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆–Cr(PO₃)₃ system. The new compound was obtained as a result of high-temperature solid-state reactions between CoCO₃, Cr₂O₃ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ as well as between Cr(PO₃)₃ and Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ was characterized using XRD, DTA and IR methods. Results demonstrated that CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ crystallizes in the triclinic system and its unit cell parameters were calculated. Its infrared spectrum was presented. CoCr₂(P₂O₇)₂ melts incongruently at 1270±10 °C with a formation of solid α-CrPO₄. The compound Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆, component of the system under study, was obtained for the first time as a pure phase. Its thermal stability was also investigated. Co₃Cr₄(PO₄)₆ is stable in air up to 1410 ± 20 °C.     

Non-empirical investigation of the geometrical structure and energy stability of dimers of yttrium β-diketonates Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>(MDA)<Subscript>6</Subscript> and Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>(HFA)<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The structure of tris-complexes Y(MDA)₃, Y(HFA)₃ and their dimeric forms of Y₂(MDA)₆ and Y₂(HFA)₆ (MDA = C₃O₂H₃; HFA = C₅O₂F₆H) are investigated by the non-empirical Hartree-Fock method and also taking into account the correlation of electrons in the context of density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) using effective pseudopotentials to describe the atomic core and double-exponential valence basis sets supplemented with polarization functions. For the first time the structure of Y(HFA)₃, Y₂(MDA)₆, and Y₂(HFA)₆ molecules has been studied in this work. The equilibrium configuration of Y(HFA)₃ monomer is a structure with a coordination polyhedron of [YO₆] that has the form of a distorted octahedron with planar chelate fragments and CF₃ substituents in which the C-F bond screens the C-C bond in the chelate fragment. The barrier of the internal rotation of one CF₃ group is ～3.0 kJ/mole (DFT/B3LYP). It is shown that rotations of CF₃ groups in Y(HFA)₃ molecule could be considered as mutually independent. The structures of C ₁ and C ₂ symmetry are the equilibrium configurations of Y₂(MDA)₆ and Y₂(HFA)₆ dimers respectively (DFT/B3LYP). The structure of the coordination polyhedron of [Y₂O₁₂] in C ₁ and C ₂ symmetry configurations can be represented as a combination of eight-and seven-coordinated polyhedra or two seven-coordinated polyhedra respectively. The energy stability of dimeric complexes is studied. According to DFT/B3LYP data, the dimerization energy equals ?80.8 kJ/mole and ?62.3 kJ/mole for Y₂(MDA)₆ and Y₂(HFA)₆ respectively. The force fields and frequencies of normal vibrations are calculated for the equilibrium configurations. The trends of changes in the vibrational spectra in Y(MDA)₃→Y(HFA)₃ and monomer→dimer transitions are discussed. The comparison with available experimental data is made.     

Formation of Pd–Ag nanoparticles in supported catalysts based on the heterobimetallic complex PdAg<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OAc)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(HOAc)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

The formation of Pd–Ag nanoparticles deposited from the heterobimetallic acetate complex PdAg₂(OAc)₄(HOAc)₄ on α-Al₂O₃, γ-Al₂O₃, and MgAl₂O₄ has been investigated by high-resolution trans-mission electron microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, and IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. The reduction of PdAg₂(OAc)₄(HOAc)₄ supported on γ-Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ takes place in two steps (at 15–245 and 290–550°C) and yields Pd–Ag particles whose average size is 6–7 nm. The reduction of the Pd–Ag catalyst supported on α-Al₂O₃ occurs in a much narrower temperature range (15–200°C) and yields larger nanoparticles (~10–20 nm). The formation of Pd–Ag alloy nanoparticles in all of the samples is demonstrated by IR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, which indicates a marked weakening of the absorption band of the bridged form of adsorbed carbon monoxide and a >30-cm^–1 bathochromic shift of the linear adsorbed CO band. IR spectroscopic data for PdAg₂/α-Al₂O₃ suggest that Pd in this sample occurs as isolated atoms on the surface of bimetallic nanoparticles, as is indicated by the almost complete absence of bridged adsorbed CO bands and by a significant weakening of the Pd–CO bond relative to the same bond in the bimetallic samples based on γ-Al₂O₃ and MgAl₂O₄ and in the monometallic reference sample Pd/γ-Al₂O₃.     

Crystal structure of Cs[Gd(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>4</Subscript>Re<Subscript>6</Subscript>Te<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>6</Subscript>]·4H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The structure of the salt Cs[Gd(H₂O)₄Re₆Te₈(CN)₆]·4H₂O (space group P-1, a = 9.436(5) Å, b = 12.365(7) Å, c = 15.187(8)Å, α = 89.104(10)°, β = 86.996(10)°, γ = 82.304(9)°) has been established by single crystal XRD. The structure of the compound features layers involving Gd³⁺ cations bound to cluster anions [Re₆Te₈(CN)₆]^4? through cyanide groups. The interlayer space contains cesium cations and crystallization water molecules.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Face-Centered Cubic Clusters [(Me<Subscript>3</Subscript>tacn)<Subscript>8</Subscript>M<Subscript>8</Subscript>Pt<Subscript>6</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>24</Subscript>]<Superscript>12+</Superscript> (M = Cr,Mo)

Incorporation of a 5d transition metal into the face-centered cubic metal-cyanide cluster geometry is accomplished for the first time with the isolation of a series of compounds featuring [(Me₃tacn)₈M₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]¹²⁺ (M = Cr, Mo) clusters. Reaction of [(Me₃tacn)Cr(CN)₃] and K₂[PtCl₄] in a boiling aqueous solution generates [(Me₃tacn)₈Cr₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]Cl₁₂ · 27H₂O (1), wherein Pt^II centers reside at the face-centering sites and the cyanide ligands have reoriented to give Pt^II–C≡N–Cr^III linkages. The cyclic voltammogram obtained for a solution of 1 in DMSO exhibits a quasireversible reduction event centered at E _1/2 = ?1.59 V versus Cp₂Fe^0/1+. Reaction of 1 with K₂[Pt(CN)₄] in aqueous solution affords [(Me₃tacn)₈Cr₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]₆ · 6H₂O (2), in which each face of the cubic cluster is capped by a staggered tetracyanoplatinate anion with a Pt–Pt separation of 3.1552(7) Å. Attempts to perform analogous cluster-forming reactions with [(Me₃tacn)Mo(CN)₃] revealed a tendency toward cluster decomposition to give mixtures of insoluble products, including [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]₆ · 46H₂O (3) and [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄][Pt(CN)₄]_2.5[Pt(CN)₃Br]₂Br₃ · 6H₂O (4). Crystallographic analyses revealed these compounds to contain the anticipated [(Me₃tacn)₈Mo₈Pt₆(CN)₂₄]¹²⁺ cluster in fully- and partially-capped forms, respectively. Unfortunately, the insolubility of these molybdenum-containing products precluded characterization of the cluster by cyclic voltammetry.     

Crystal structure of Na<Subscript>4</Subscript>[Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cr<Subscript>2</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>] · 10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Single crystals of the Na₄[Na₂Cr₂(C₂O₄)₆] · 10H₂O complex were synthesized for the first time. The structure of the complex was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the unit cell parameters a = 17.290(4) Å, b = 12.521(3) Å, c = 15.149(3) Å, β = 100.45(3)°, Z = 4, space group Cc. Anionic layers [NaCr(C₂O₄)₃] _2n ^4n? can be distinguished in the crystal structure of the complex. The Na⁺ cations and water molecules, involved in the formation of a hydrogen bond network, are located between the anionic layers.     

Capping [H<Subscript>8−n</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>42</Subscript>C<Subscript>8</Subscript>(CO)<Subscript>44</Subscript>]<Superscript>n−</Superscript> (n = 6, 7, 8) Octa-carbide Carbonyl Nanoclusters with [Ni(CO)] and [CuCl] Fragments

The reactions of [Ni₁₆(C₂)₂(CO)₂₃]^4? and [Ni₃₈C₆(CO)₄₂]^6? with CuCl afforded mixtures of the previously reported [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7? bimetallic octa-carbide cluster and the new [HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7? and [HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7? homo-metallic octa-carbides. The three species have very similar properties resulting always in co-crystals such as [NMe₄]₇[HNi_42+2xC₈(CO)_44+2x(CuCl)_1?x]·6.5MeCN (x = 0.14) (86% [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7?, 14%[HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7?/[HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7?) and [NMe₄]₇[HNi_42+2xC₈(CO)_44+2x(CuCl)_1?x]·5.5MeCN (x = 0.30) (70% [HNi₄₂C₈(CO)₄₄(CuCl)]^7?, 30% [HNi₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^7?/[HNi₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^7?). The new homo-metallic octa-carbides can be obtained free from the Ni–Cu octa-carbido cluster by reacting [Ni₁₀(C₂)(CO)₁₆]^2? in thf with a stoichiometric amount of CuCl, and crystals of [NMe₄]₆[H₂Ni_43+xC₈(CO)_45+x]·6MeCN (x = 0.72), which contain [H₂Ni₄₄C₈(CO)₄₆]^6? (72%) and [H₂Ni₄₃C₈(CO)₄₅]^6? (28%), have been obtained. Despite the different charges and compositions, these anions display almost identical structures, which are also closely related to those previously reported for the bimetallic Ni–Cd octa-carbido clusters [Ni_42+xC₈(CO)_44+x(CdCl)]^7? and [HNi_42+xC₈(CO)_44+x(CdBr)]^6?. Indeed, all these clusters are based on the same Ni₄₂C₈ cage decorated by miscellaneous [CdX]⁺ (X = Cl, Br), [CuCl] and [Ni(CO)] fragments.