Niobium Alcoholate Clusters with an Octahedral Arrangement of Metal Atoms: [K(CH3OH)4]2 [Nb6(OCH3)18] and [Na([18]crown‐6)(C2H5OH)2]2 [Nb6(OC2H5)12(NCS)6]

Complete exchange : [M₆X₁₂] type cluster compounds with an octahedral M₆ metal atom arrangement, which is completely surrounded by alcoholato ligands, were unknown until now. The first representatives are prepared containing a [Nb₆(OR)₁₂]⁴⁺ unit (R=CH₃ or C₂H₅). They are accessible at elevated temperatures from strongly basic alcoholate solutions of [Nb₆Cl₁₂]²⁺‐containing precursors. C gray, H white, K turquoise, Nb blue, O red.

     

Synthesis and structural analysis of the polymetallated alkali calixarenes [M4(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)x]2.n THF (M=Li,K; n=6 or 1; x=4 or 5) and [Li2(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-2H)(H2O)(mu-H2O)(thf)].3 THF

To study the structures and reactivities of alkali metallated intermediates of calix[4]arenes, three compounds were isolated: [Li(4)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)(4)](2).6 THF (1), [Li(2)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-2H)(H(2)O)(mu-H(2)O)(thf)].3 THF (2), and [K(4)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)(5)](2).THF (3). The structure of 1 is shown to be dependent on the coordinating solvent. Partial hydrolysis of 1 leads to the formation of 2. The potassium compound 3 features a different structure to that of 1, due to a higher coordination number as well as stronger cation-pi-bonding interactions.     

Compounds with Cluster Cations together with Cluster Anions [(M6X12)(EtOH)6]2+ besides [(Mo6Cl8)Cl4X2]2– (M = Nb,Ta; X = Cl,Br) – Synthesis and Crystal Structures

Compounds consisting of both cluster cations and cluster anions of the composition [(M₆X₁₂)(EtOH)₆][(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₄X₂] · n EtOH · m Et₂O (M = Nb, Ta; X = Cl, Br) have been prepared by the reaction of (M₆X₁₂)X₂ · 6 EtOH with (Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₄. IR data are given for three compounds. The structures of [(Nb₆Cl₁₂)(EtOH)₆][(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₆] · 3 EtOH · 3 Et₂O 1 and [(Ta₆Cl₁₂)(EtOH)₆][(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₆] · 6 EtOH 2 have been solved in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 2). Crystal data: 1 , a = 10.641(2) Å, b = 13.947(2) Å, c = 15.460(3) Å, α = 65.71(2)°, β = 73.61(2)°, γ = 85.11(2)°, V = 2005.1(8) ų and Z = 1; 2 , a = 11.218(2) Å, b = 12.723(3) Å, c = 14.134(3) Å, α = 108.06(2)°, β = 101.13(2)°, γ = 91.18(2)°, V = 1874.8(7) ų and Z = 1. Both structures are built of octahedral [(M₆Cl₁₂)(EtOH)₆]²⁺ cluster cations and [(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₆]^2– cluster anions, forming distorted CsCl structure types. The Nb–Nb and Ta–Ta bond lengths of 2.904 Å and 2.872 Å (mean values), respectively, are rather short, indicating weak M–O bonds. All O atoms of coordinated EtOH molecules are involved in H bridges. The Mo–Mo distances of 2.603 Å and 2.609 Å (on average) are characteristic for the [(Mo₆Cl₈)Cl₆]^2– anion, but there is a clear correlation between the number of hydrogen bridges to the terminal Cl and the corresponding Mo–Cl distances.     

[Co@Ge10]3−: An Intermetalloid Cluster with Archimedean Pentagonal Prismatic Structure

Inorganic pentaprismane : The unusual structure of the anion [Co@Ge₁₀]^3?, which was obtained by the reaction of K₄Ge₉ with [Co(C₈H₁₂)(C₈H₁₃)] in ethylenediamine, raises questions about chemical bonding in the anion. The Zintl ion cluster has virtual D_5h symmetry and is a unique example of a ligand‐free cluster that is not a deltahedron. The delocalized chemical bonding is represented in the picture by one of the bonding orbitals of the anion.

     

Thiocyanate Compounds of [Nb6Cl12]2+: The structure of A4[Nb6Cl12(NCS)6](H2O)4 (A = K,Rb, NH4)

New compounds of the general formula A₄[Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆](H₂O)₄ (A = K, Rb, NH₄) were synthesized from Nb₆Cl₁₄ and ASCN in aqueous solutions. X-ray structure refinements were performed on single-crystal data of the three compounds. They are isotypic and crystallize with the space group P1 (Z = 1) and the lattice parameters: a = 877.9(3) pm, b = 1176.6(3) pm, c = 1187.0(3) pm, α = 114.29(1)°, β = 98.96(2)°, γ = 100.91(2)° for K₄[Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆](H₂O)₄ ( 1 ); a = 887.6(3) pm, b = 1184.0(4) pm, c = 1195.4(4) pm, α = 114.95(2)°, β = 98.84(2)°, γ = 101.31(2)° for Rb₄[Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆](H₂O)₄ ( 2 ) and a = 886.0(4) pm, b = 1181.1(6) pm, c = 1183.9(6) pm, α = 114.49(2)°, β = 99.48(3)°, γ = 101.53(1)° for (NH₄)₄[Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆](H₂O)₄ ( 3 ). Each centrosymmetric [Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆]^4? ion of the isotypic compounds contains six terminal thiocyanate groups being bound to the corners of the octahedral niobium cluster through the nitrogen atoms (d_{Nb? N} = 221.5(6)–224.3(6) pm, bond angles Nb? N? C 168.6(5)–176.4(6)°). The [Nb₆Cl₁₂(NCS)₆]^4? ions are linked via A? S and A? Cl interactions with the A cations. Half of the cations occur to be disordered along two crystallographic sites.     

Synthesis of Well‐Defined Bicapped Octahedral Iron Clusters [(trenL)2Fe8(PMe2Ph)2]n (n=0, −1)

The synthesis of polynuclear clusters with control over size and cluster geometry remains an unsolved challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of open‐shell octairon clusters supported by two heptaamine ligands [o‐H₂NC₆H₄NH(CH₂)₂]₃N (^trenLH₉). The crystal structure of the all‐ferrous species ([^trenL)₂Fe₈(PMe₂Ph)₂] ( 1 ) displays a bicapped octahedral geometry with Fe? Fe distances ranging from 2.4071(6) to 2.8236(5) Å, where the ligand amine units are formally in amine, amide, and imide oxidation states. Several redox states of the octairon cluster are accessible, as ascertained using cyclic voltammetry. The one‐electron‐reduced clusters [M]⁺[(^trenL)₂Fe₈(PMe₂Ph)₂]^? (M=Bu₄N ( 2 a ); (15‐crown‐5)Na(thf) ( 2 b )) were isolated and characterized. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility data indicates that the exchange coupling within the [Fe₈] core is antiferromagnetic which is attenuated upon reduction to the mixed valent anion.     

The Binary Group 4 Azides [PPh4]2[Zr(N3)6] and [PPh4]2[Hf(N3)6]

The binary zirconium and hafnium polyazides [PPh₄]₂[M(N₃)₆] (M=Zr, Hf) were obtained in near quantitative yields from the corresponding metal fluorides MF₄ by fluoride–azide exchange reactions with Me₃SiN₃ in the presence of two equivalents of [PPh₄][N₃]. The novel polyazido compounds were characterized by their vibrational spectra and their X‐ray crystal structures. Both anion structures provide experimental evidence for near‐linear M‐N‐N coordination of metal azides. The species [M(N₃)₄], [M(N₃)₅]^? and [M(N₃)₆]^2? (M=Ti, Zr, Hf) were studied by quantum chemical calculations at the electronic structure density functional theory and MP2 levels.     

Nitrile Cluster Compounds [(M6X12)X2(RCN)4] (M=Nb, Ta; X=Cl, Br; R=Et, n-Pr, n-Bu)

Three new series of mixed-ligand clusters of the [(M₆X₁₂)X₂(RCN)₄] (M=Nb, Ta; X=Cl, Br; R=Et, n-Pr, n-Bu) composition have been prepared. It is supposed that four nitrile molecules and two halogen atoms are coordinated to the terminal octahedral coordination sites of the [M₆X₁₂]²⁺ unit.     

Synthesis, molecular structure and properties of the [H6-nNi30C4(CO)34(CdCl)2]n- (n=3-6) bimetallic carbide carbonyl cluster: a model for the growth of noncompact interstitial metal carbides

Reaction of the [Ni(9)C(CO)(17)](2-) dianion with CdCl(2)2.5 H(2)O in THF affords the novel bimetallic Ni--Cd carbide carbonyl clusters [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) (n=3-6), which undergo several protonation-deprotonation equilibria in solution depending on the basicity of the solvent or upon addition of acids or bases. Although the occurrence in solution of these equilibria complicates the pertinent electrochemical studies on their electron-transfer activity, they clearly indicate that the clusters [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) (n=3-6), as well as the structurally related [H(6-n)Ni(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](n-) (n=4-6), undergo reversible or partially reversible redox processes and provide circumstantial and unambiguous evidence for the presence of hydrides for n=3, 4 and 5. Three of the [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-) anions (n=4-6) have been structurally characterized in their [NMe(3)(CH(2)Ph)](4)[H(2)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]2 COMe(2), [NEt(4)](5)[HNi(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]2 MeCN and [NMe(4)](6)[Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(CdCl)(2)]6 MeCN salts, respectively. All three anions display almost identical geometries and bonding parameters, probably because charge effects are minimized by delocalization over such a large metal carbonyl anion. Moreover, the Ni(30)C(4) core in these Ni-Cd carbide clusters is identical within experimental error to those present in the [HNi(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](5-) and [Ni(35)C(4)(CO)(39)](6-) species, suggesting that the stepwise assembly of their nickel carbide cores may represent a general pathway of growth of nickel polycarbide clusters. The fact that the [H(6-n)Ni(30)C(4)(CO)(34)(micro(5)-CdCl)(2)](n-)(n=4-6) anions display two valence electrons more than the structurally related [H(6-n)Ni(34)C(4)(CO)(38)](n-) (n=4-6) species has been rationalized by extended Hückel molecular orbital (EHMO) analysis.     

Copper(I) alkynyl clusters, [Cu(x+y)(hfac)(x)(C[triple chemical bond]CR)(y)], with Cu(10)-Cu(12) cores

The facile syntheses and the structures of five new Cu(I) alkynyl clusters, [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CnPr)(4)(thf)(6)]xTHF (1), [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)] (2), [Cu(12)(hfac)(8)(C[triple chemical bond]CSiMe(3))(4)] (3), [Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)(diethyl ether)]/[Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(3)(C[triple chemical bond]CnPr)(diethyl ether)] (4) and [Cu(10)(hfac)(6)(C[triple chemical bond]CtBu)(4)(diethyl ether)] (5) are reported, in which hfacH=1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentan-2,4-dione. The first independent molecule found in the crystals of 4 (4 a) proved to be chemically identical to 5. The Cu(10) and Cu(12) cores in these clusters are based on a central "square" Cu(4)C(4) unit. Whilst the connectivities of the Cu(10) or Cu(12) units remain identical the geometries vary considerably and depend on the bulk of the alkynyl group, weak coordination of ether molecules to copper atoms in the core and CuO intramolecular contacts formed between Cu-hfac units on the periphery of the cluster. Similar intermolecular contacts and interlocking of Cu-hfac units are formed in the simple model complex [Cu(2)(hfac)(2)(HC[triple chemical bond]CtBu)] (6). When linear alkynes, C(n)H(2n+1)C[triple chemical bond]CH, are used in the synthesis and non-coordinating solvents are used in the workup, further association of the Cu(4)C(4) cores occurs and clusters with more than eighteen copper atoms are isolated.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Functionalized Binary and Ternary Thiometallate Complexes [(RT)4S6], [(RSn)3S4]2−, [(RT)2(CuPPh3)6S6], and [(RSn)6(OMe)6Cu2S6]4− (R=C2H4COOH,CMe2CH2COMe; T=Ge,Sn)

Caged chalcogens : A series of novel, functionalized T_nS_m cages (T=Ge, Sn; n/m=4:6, 3:4) with terminal COO(H) or COMe groups were synthesized and show further reactivity toward Cu^I complexes (an example of which is shown here) and to hydrazines. This led to the generation of functionalized Cu/T/S clusters or the formation of Schiff bases at the C?O groups, respectively, with or without further fragmentation of the T/S core.