Electron transfer in organometallic clusters: XIV. Crystal and electronic structures of the tricobalt carbon cluster (η5-C5H5)Fe[η5-C5H4-CCo3(CO)9] and the biscarbyne cluster (η5-C5H5)Fe[η5-C5H4CCo3(η5-C5H5)3CH]

The crystal and molecular structures of (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe[η⁵--C₅H₄CCo₃(CO)₉] (1), Pna2₁, α 17.354, b 11.463, c 11.207 Å Z = 4, R = 0.053, R_w = 0.056 for 939 reflections (I>3σ(I)) at 293 K, and (η⁵-C₅H₅Fe[η⁵--C₅H₄CCo₃(η⁵C₅H₅)₃CH] (2), P2₁/n, a 13.807(9), b 11.254(4), c 13.991(9) Å, β 99.98(5)°, Z = 4, R = 0.033 and R_w = 0.033 for 3051 observed reflections (I>3σ(I)) at 180 K, have been determined by X-ray methods.The results provide a detailed characterisation of related tricobalt-carbon complexes directly bound to ferrocene residues. In 1 the ferrocenyl moiety tops the pyramidal CCo₃ cluster core, while in 2 the CCo₃C core is bipyramidal with a ferrocenyl substituent on one capping carbon atom and a hydrogen atom at the other. In both cases the ferrocenyl group is tilted towards one cobalt atom of the cluster core, a distortion believed to be the consequence of the non-degeneracy of the carbyne p(π) orbitals resulting from a cooperative π-interaction between the clusters and the ferrocenyl substituents.     

Triphospha-Ferrocenes as Ligands. Crystal Structures of [Fe(η5-C5Me5)(η5-C2 TBu2P3)M(CO)5)], (M= Cr,MO, W) and the Novel ruthenium and Nickel Complexes [Fe(η5-C5Me5) (η5-C2 TBu2P3)Ru3(CO)9] and [Fe(η5-C5Me5)(η5-C2 tBu2P3)Ni(Co)2]2

Abstract

Syntheses and structures of penta- and hexaphosphorus analogues of ferrocene have been described recently¹. Unlike their simple ferrocene analogues, these complexes have further ligating potential towards other transition metal centres by virtue of the availability of the ring phosphorus lone-pair electrons that are not involved in the η⁵-coordination. We now describe the first examples of coordination compounds of the triphospha-ferrocene [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅) (η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃]. In the ruthenium complex [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃) Ru₃(CO)₉] ² two adjacent phosphorus atoms of the η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃ ring are interlinked by a ruthenium carbonyl cluster in which all three ruthenium atoms interact with the phosphorus atoms. The tetrametallic nickel complex [Fe(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵-C₂ ^tBu₂P₃)Ni(CO)₂]₂ ³ represents the first example of intermolecular interlinkage of two phospha-ferrocene systems by two metal centres.     

Five- and six-membered palladacycles derived from [(η5-C5H5)Fe{(η5-C5H4)-CH=N-(C6H4-2-C6H5)}]

The reaction of the novel ferrocenyl Schiff base: [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-CH=N-(C₆H₄-2-C₆H₅)}] (1) with Na₂[PdCl₄] and Na(CH₃COO)·3H₂O in a 1:1:1 molar ratio in methanol is reported. In this reaction two different di-μ-chloro-bridged cyclopalladated complexes: [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)-CH=N-(C₆H₄-2-C₆H₅)]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}(μ-Cl)]₂ (2a) and [Pd{[(C₆H₄-2-C₆H₄)-N=CH-(η⁵-C₅H₄)]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}(μ-Cl)]₂ (2b) can be formed depending on the experimental conditions. Compounds 2a and 2b, which differ in the nature of the metallated carbon atom (C_{sp²,ferrocene} or C_{sp²,biphenyl}, respectively), undergo cleavage of the ‘Pd(μ-Cl)₂Pd’ bridges in the presence of thallium (I) acetylacetonate, deuterated pyridine or triphenylphosphine giving the monomeric derivatives: [Pd(C^∧N)(acac)] (3a, 3b) and [Pd(C^∧N)Cl(L)] {with L=py- d₅(4a, 4b), PPh₃(5a, 5b)}. The reactions of 2 with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) reveal that the two isomers (2a and 2b) exhibit different reactivity versus dppe. These results have been interpreted on the basis of steric effects.     

Cyclooctaselenadiazole: synthesis,decomposition pathway,and reaction with (η5-C5H5) Co(L)2 (L = C2H4, PPh3). Crystal and molecular structure of [(η5-C5H5)CO]2(μ2-η3,η2-C8H6Se)

Thermolysis of cyclooctaselenadiazole (2) yields only selenium-containing products. Compound 2 reacts with CpCo sources to give [(η⁵-C₅H₅)CO]₂(μ₂η³,η²-C₈H₆Se), a fluxional compound whose structure has been determined by X-Ray crystallography.     

The reactions of AgI electrophile with [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)2(L){CN(Me)H}]+ and [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)2{CN(Me)H}2]2+ salts (L = CO or CNMe)

The protonated species [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂(η-CO){μ-CN(Me)H}]X, [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)(CNMe)(μ-CO){μ-CN(Me)H}][X], and [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂{η-CN(Me)H}₂][X]₂ react with one equivalent of AgY. The Ag⁺ and one H⁺ act together as a two-electron oxidant. Silver metal is precipitated quantitatively and the substrates cleaved to give mono-nuclear products of the type (a) [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(L)X] and [Fe(η-C₅H₅(CO)(L)Y] or (b) Fe(η-C₅H₅(CO)(L)(CNMe)][X] (L = CO, CNMe). If X⁻ and Y⁻ are both coordinating anions such as NO₃⁻, I⁻, or Br⁻ or the solvent is MeCN products of type (a) are usually obtained with X = Y = MeCN⁺ if acetonitrile is used as the solvent. However, if either X⁻ or Y⁻ is a non-coordinating anion such as BF₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ and methanol is the solvent, the products are usually those of type (b). When X⁻ = [p-MeC₆H₄SO₃]⁻, both types of products are obtained in significant amounts. If two equivalents of Ph₃P are added to the methanol solution of [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂{-CN(Me)H}₂[BF₆]₂, no reaction takes place until the third equivalent of AgNO₃ has been added. The products have been isolated and characterized by analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The previously unreported [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)(CNMe)(η-CO){η-CN(Me)H}] X salts are described for X⁻ = BF₄⁻, PF₆⁻, Br⁻ · 2H₂O, I⁻ · H₂O, NO₃⁻ · 0.5H₂O, and p-MeC₆H⁴SO₃⁻.     

Synthesis and structures of the η5-C5H5Cl(CO)2W-η1,η5-(PPh2)C5H4(CO)2Fe-η1,η5-C5H4Mn(CO)3 and MeSi[C5H4(CO)2Fe-η1,η5-C5H4Mn(CO)2PPh3]3 complexes

The metallation of the η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₂Fe-η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄Mn(CO)₃ complex with BuⁿLi (THF, ?78 °C) followed by the treatment of the lithium derivative with Ph₂PCl afforded the η⁵-Ph₂PC₅H₄(CO)₂Fe-η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄Mn(CO)₃ complex. The reaction of the latter with η⁵-C₅H₅(CO)₃WCl in the presence of Me₃NO produced the trinuclear complex η⁵-C₅H₅Cl(CO)₂W-η¹,η⁵-(Ph₂P)C₅H₄(CO)₂Fe-η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄Mn(CO)₃. The structure of the latter complex was established by IR, UV, and 1H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The reaction of MeSiCl₃ with three equivalents of LiC₅H₄(CO)₂Fe-η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄Mn(CO)₂PPh₃ gave the hexanuclear complex MeSi[C₅H₄(CO)₂Fe-η¹,η⁵-C₅H₄Mn(CO)₂PPh₃]₃.     

Insertion reactions of t-Bu(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2

The complex t-Bu(η⁵-C₅H₅)FE(CO)₂ has been treated with triphenylphosphine in refluxing THF to produce t-BuCO(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃). The large steric bulk of the t-butyl group suggests that this reaction should be faster than the reaction involving the methyl group, and a kinetic investigation illustrates this to be the case. The same steric bulk predicts that the reaction with SO₂ should be slow, and indeed we have been unable to effect the related SO₂ insertion reaction. Attempts to prepare the corresponding t-Bu(η⁵-C₅H₅)W(CO)₃ led to formation of the related isobutyl complex.     

Preparation and crystal structures of [μ-SbPh2]2[Mo(CO)2(η5-C5H5)]2·CHCl3 and SbPh[Fe(CO)2(η5-C5H5)]2

Antimony is reduced when [SbPh₂BrO]₂ is treated with Na[Mo(CO)₃(η⁵-C₅H₅)] to produce [μ-SbPh₂]₂[Mo(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂. A structure determination shows diphenylstibido groups bridging between two Mo(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅) moieties giving a central ‘butterfly’ shaped Sb₂Mo₂ ring. The cyclopentadiene rings are trans to each other and Mo–Sb and Sb–Sb separations are both short. An iron analogue could not be obtained from [SbPh₂BrO]₂ and Na[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] but a mixture of SbPh[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂ and SbPh₂[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)] was obtained using SbPh₂Cl. An X-ray structure for SbPh[Fe(CO)₂(η⁵-C₅H₅)]₂ shows an open stibinidine structure.     

Triethylaluminum-Based Ferrocenylalanes. Synthesis and Crystal Structure of (η5−C5H5)Fe[η5−C5H4Al2(C2H5)4Cl]

Abstract

The trietheylaluminum based ferrocenylalane (η⁵?C₅H₅)Fe[η⁵?C₅H₄Al₂(C₂H₅)₄Cl] was prepared from the reaction of triethylaluminum with chloromercuriferrocene in toluene and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 with unit cell dimensions a = 9.353(3) Å, b = 10.281(7) Å, c = 11.599(9) Å, α = 79.64(7)°, β = 69.41(6)°, γ = 84.33(4)°, and Z = 2 for D_c = 1.27 g cm^?3. Full-matrix least-squares refinement has led to a final R factor of 0.068 based on 1866 independent observed reflections. The two diethylaluminum units are bridged by a chlorine atom and one carbon atom of a cyclopentadienyl group, thus forming an Al-Cl-Al-C ring. The four-membered ring is planar to within 0.02 Å. The Al-Cl distances are 2.404(4) Å and 2.266(5) Å. The Al-Cl-Al angle is 78.9(1)° while the Al-C-Al angle is 91.3(4)°. No significant aluminum-iron interaction is observed (Al… Fe = 3.137(4) Å).     

Substitution and insertion reactions of (η5-C5H5)Cr(CO)3C2H5

The complex (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₃Cp42 H₅ has been made and its reactions with σ donor ligands L (L = (MeO)₃P and (EtO)₃P) and with SO₂ studied. The alkyl phosphites give compounds of the composition (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₂LC₂H₅, and sulfur dioxide gives the corresponding S-sulfinato (η⁵-C₅H₅)Cr(CO)₃SO₂C₂H₅.     

Application of electron-transfer chain catalysis: preparation of bridged 〚{(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2}2(μ-diphosphine)2+〛 complexes without chelated 〚(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(η2-diphosphine)+〛 byproducts

The ligand substitution by diphosphine L–L on (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I usually results in the chelated 〚(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(η²-L–L)⁺〛〚I^–〛 product exclusively. One could suppress the chelated complexes and selectively prepare the bridged 〚{(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂}₂(μ-L–L)²⁺〛 complexes by application of the electron-transfer chain catalysis with a chemical initiation. Introducing a catalytic amount of reductant at low temperature to the mixture of 2:1 (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂I/L–L in THF selectively produces the bridged complexes in 78–93% isolated yields where L–L is Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂, n = 1–4, or (η⁵-C₅H₄PPh₂)₂Fe.     

Concerning the silicon-germanium bond: mass spectral fragmentations of isomeric SiGe compounds R3EE′R3 (E  Si,E′  Ge,R  Ph,Me,(η5-C5H4)Fe (C5H5), (η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2 and (η5-C9H7) Fe(CO)2)

Isomeric pairs of silicon-germanium compounds containing a SiGe bond (Me₃SiGePh₃ (I) and Ph₃SiGeMe₃ (II); FpSiMe₂GeMe₃ (III) and FpGeMe₂SiMe₃ (IV) (Fp = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂); IFpSiMe₂GeMe₃ (V) and IFpGeMe₂SiMe₃ (VI) (IFp = (η⁵-C₉H₇)Fe(CO)₂); IFpSiMe₂GePh₃ (VII) and IFpGeMe₂SiPh₃ (VIII) and the complex FcSiMe₂GeMe₂Fc (IX) (Fc = ferrocenyl) have been synthesized and examined by mass spectrometry.The R₃SiGeR′₃ compounds I and II exhibit considerable exchange of R groups to produce [R_3-nR′_nSi]⁺ and [R′_3-nR_nGe]⁺ ion in progressively lesser amounts as n = 1 → 2 → 3. For the metal-substituted complexes containing the grouping FeSiGe fragmentation occurs predominantly via SiGe bond cleavage with formation of ions containing the silylene ligand [FeSiR₂]⁺. Complexes with the FeGeSi backbone undergo preferential scission of the FeGe bond, illustrating the general bond strength trend FeSi > SiGe. Upon direct cleavage of the SiGe bond in R₃SiGeR₃ compounds, the percentage of the charge carried by [R₃Si]⁺ ions significantly exceeds that carried by [R₃Ge]⁺ ions, reflecting the greater electronegativity of Ge polarizing the SiGe bond.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structure of [Co2Mo2(μ4-C2HPh)(μ-CO)4(CO)4(η5-C5H4C(O)Me)2]

The reaction of μ-alkyne-bridged dimolybdenum compound [Mo2(μ-C2HPh)(CO)4(η5-C5H4C(O)Me)2] 1 with Co2(CO)8 in refluxing toluene gave a new butterfly compound [Co2Mo2(μ4-C2HPh)(μ-CO)4(CO)4(η5-C5H4C(O)Me)2] 2 which was fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction techniques. 2 crystallized in monoclinic system, C30H20Co2Mo2O10, Mr=850.23, space group P21/a(#14), a=14.165(5), b=12.498(2), c=16.204(2)(A), β = 96.50(2)°, V = 2850(1)(A)3, Z = 4, Dc = 1.981 g cm-3, F(000)=1672, μ(MoKα)=20.41 cm-1, final R=0.030, Rw=0.039 for 4831 observable reflections with I>2σ(I). The structure contains a Co2Mo2 butterfly core, and each Mo-Co bond is spanned by an asymmetric semi-bridging carbonyl ligand.     

Coordination-unsaturated complexes of tris(cyclopentadienyl)samarium: Solvate (η5-C5H5)3Sm·OC4H8 and ionic salt [Li(Et2O)2][η5-C5H5)3Sm(μ-Cl)Sm(η5-C5H5)3]

X-ray structural analysis of a samarium triscyclopentadienyl complex, Cp₃Sm·OC₄H₈ (1), and a samarium ionic salt, [Li(Et₂O)₂][Cp₃Sm(-Cl)SmCp₃] (2), was carried out. In both compounds coordination saturation is achieved by coordination of the THF molecule (in1) or the Cl^– anion (in2) to the monomeric fragment Cp₃Sm. An unusual coordination of the Li⁺ cation was observed in complex2: it is bound to one of the ⁵-type cyclopentadienyl rings in addition to two ether molecules.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1129–1132, June, 1993.     

Palladium(II) compounds with planar chirality. X-Ray crystal structures of (+)-(R)-[{(η5-C5H4)–CHN–CH(Me)–C10H7}Fe(η5-C5H5)] and (+)-(Rp,R)-[Pd{[(Et–CC–Et)2(η5-C5H3)–CHN–CH(Me)–C10H7]Fe(η5-C5H5)}Cl]

A wide variety of planar chiral cyclopalladated compounds of general formulae [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl(L)] (with L=py-d₅ or PPh₃), [Pd{[(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}(acac)] or [Pd{[(R¹–CC–R²)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl] (with R¹=R²=Et; R¹=Me, R²=Ph; R¹=H, R²=Ph; R¹=R²=Ph; R¹=R²=CO₂Me or R¹=CO₂Et, R²=Ph) are reported. The diastereomers {(R_p,R) and (S_p,R)} of these compounds have been isolated by either column chromatography or fractional crystallization. The free ligand (R)-(+)-[{(η⁵-C₅H₄)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇}Fe(η⁵–C₅H₅)] (1) and compound (+)-(R_p,R)-[Pd{[(Et–CC–Et)₂(η⁵-C₅H₃)–CHN–CH(Me)–C₁₀H₇]Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)}Cl] (7a) have also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies based on cyclic voltammetries of all the compounds are also reported.     

Molecular structure of ansa-compound (η5-C5H4)CMe2(η5-C9H6)TiCl2

The structure of a new ansa compound, (⁵-C₅H₄)CMe₂(⁵-C₉H₆)TiCl₂ (1), was studied by X-ray analysis:a = 15.00(1),b =15.500(5),c = 13.032(4) Å, = 92.66°(4),V = 3025.1(1) ų, space groupP2₁/.,R = 0.038. The distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere of the Ti atom is formed by two Cl atoms and two -ligands. It was proposed that the angle () between theC-M direction and the line normal to M-Cp can be considered as one of the geometric parameters characteristic of the structure-properties correlation.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 305–308, February, 1995.     

The preparation of a series of ring-linked derivatives of [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)2(μ-CO)2] starting from [Fe2η5,η5-C5H4CH(NMe3)CH(NMe2)C5H4}(CO)2(μ-CO)2]+ salts

The salts [Fe₂η⁵,η⁵-C₅H₄CH{NMe₃)CH(NMe₂)C₅H₄}(CO)₂(μ-CO)₂][X] (X = I or SO₃CF₃) are the synthetic precursors to a wide range of [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)₂(μ-CO)₂] derivatives in which the two cyclopentadienyl ligands are joined by a two-carbon bridge.     

Trovacene Chemistry. 10 [1] The [1]- and [2]Silatrovacenophanes (η7-$\overline{C 7H6)V(η5-C5H4S}$iR2) and (η7-$\overline{C 7H6)V(η5-C5H4SiR2S}$iR2 (R = Me,Ph): Synthesis,Structure, and Ring Opening

Heteroannular dilithiation of trovacene, (η⁷-C₇H₇)V(η⁵-C₅H₅) ( 1^˙ ), and subsequent reaction with the respective dichlorosilane yielded the [1]silatrovacenophanes (η⁷-$\overline{C ₇H₆)V(η⁵-C₅H₄S}$ iR₂) ( 2^˙ , R = Ph; 3^˙ , R = Me) and the [2]silatrovacenophane (η⁷-$\overline{C ₇H₆)V(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₂S}$ iMe₂) ( 4^˙ ). Structural studies by X-ray diffraction revealed sandwich tilt angles of 17.3° ( 2^˙ ) and 3.8° ( 4^˙ ), respectively, and considerable strain in the ring-link-ring region. EPR spectroscopy responds to these distortions in that the g-tensor is tetragonal (g_x = g_y ≠ g_z) for 4^˙ but rhombic (g_x ≠ g_y ≠ g_z) for 2^˙ and 3^˙ . With increasing tilt, <g> increases slightly towards g_fs = 2.0023 and a(⁵¹V) decreases, the latter response to tilting being more pronounced. These trends are plausible in view of distortion-induced mixing of the V(3d) SOMO with ligand π orbitals. Whereas cyclic voltammetry of undistorted 4^˙ displays reversible oxidation and reduction, the strained sandwich 2^˙ shows irreversible behavior, probably caused by cleavage of the interannular bridge. [1]Silatrovacenophanes are thermally more robust than [1]silaferrocenophanes in that 2^˙ , exposed to 280 °C, fails to show indications of ring-opening polymerization (ROP).     

Expansion of antimonato polyoxovanadates with transition metal complexes: (Co(N3C5H15)2)2[{Co(N3C5H15)2}V15Sb6O42(H2O)]·5H2O and (Ni(N3C5H15)2)2[{Ni(N3C5H15)2}V15Sb6O42(H2O)]·8H2O

Two new polyoxovanadates (Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2))(2)[{Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)]·5H(2)O (1) and (Ni(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2))(2)[{Ni(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)]·8H(2)O (2) (N(3)C(5)H(15) = N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine) were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized. In both structures the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) shell displays the main structural motif, which is strongly related to the {V(18)O(42)} archetype cluster. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 with a = 14.3438(4), b = 16.6471(6), c = 18.9186(6) ?, α = 87.291(3)°, β = 83.340(3)°, γ = 78.890(3)°, and V = 4401.4(2) ?(3) (1) and a = 14.5697(13), b = 15.8523(16), c = 20.2411(18) ?, α = 86.702(11)°, β = 84.957(11)°, γ = 76.941(11)°, and V = 4533.0(7) ?(3) (2). In the structure of 1 the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) cluster anion is bound to a [Co(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)](2+) complex via a terminal oxygen atom. In the Co(2+)-centered complex, one of the amine ligands coordinates in tridentate mode and the second one in bidentate mode to form a strongly distorted CoN(5)O octahedron. Similarly, in compound 2 an analogous NiN(5)O complex is joined to the [V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](6-) anion via the same attachment mode. A remarkable difference between the two compounds is the orientation of the noncoordinated propylamine group leading to intermolecular Sb···O contacts in 1 and to Sb···N interactions in 2. In the solid-state lattices of 1 and 2, two additional [M(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)](2+) complexes act as countercations and are located between the [{M(N(3)C(5)H(15))(2)}V(15)Sb(6)O(42)(H(2)O)](4-) anions. Between the anions and cations strong N-H···O hydrogen bonds are observed. In both compounds the clusters are stacked along the b axis in an ABAB fashion with cations and water molecules occupying the space between the clusters. Magnetic characterization demonstrates that the Ni(2+) and Co(2+) cations do not significantly couple with the S = 1/2 vanadyl groups. The susceptibility data can be successfully reproduced assuming a distorted ligand field for the Co(2+) ions (1) and an O(h)-symmetric Ni(2+) ligand field (2).