Synthesis of the new, cubane-like W3S4Co cluster core. Completion of the homologous series [(eta5-Cp')3M3S4Co(CO)] (M = Cr, Mo, W)

Reaction between the cluster salts (eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)]pts] (M = Mo, W; Cp' = methylcyclopentadienyl; pts = p-toluenesulfonate) and Co(2)(CO)(8)] yielded the electroneutral clusters (eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)Co(CO)]. The molecular structure of (eta(5)-Cp')(3)W(3)S(4)Co(CO)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The unprecedented 60 electron W(3)S(4)Co cluster completes a homologous series of heterobimetallic clusters, (eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)Co(CO)] (M = Cr, Mo, W), containing a cubane-like core motif.