Phosphaniminato‐Acetato‐Komplexe von Cobalt und Cadmium mit M4N4‐Heterocuban‐Struktur

Phosphoraneiminato‐Acetato Complexes of Cobalt and Cadmium with M₄N₄ Heterocubane Structure The phosphoraneiminato‐acetato complexes [M(NPEt₃)(O₂C–CH₃)]₄ with M = Co and Cd are formed from the anhydrous metal(II) acetates with excess Me₃SiNPEt₃ at 180 °C. By crystallization from diethyl ether blue, moisture sensitive single crystals of [Co(NPEt₃) · (O₂C–CH₃)]₄ can be obtained, while colourless single crystals of [Cd(NPEt₃)(O₂C–CH₃)]₄ · 2 CH₂Cl₂ originate from dichloromethane solution. In vacuo the intercalary CH₂Cl₂ is released. The complexes are characterized by their IR spectra and by crystal structure analyses. In both complexes the metal atoms are associated via μ₃–N bridges of the (NPEt₃^–) groups to form heterocubanes. In the cobalt complex the acetato ligands are bonded in a semichelate fashion with a short Co–O and a long Co–O bond each (Co–O distances in average 199.5 and 257.4 pm). In the cadmium complex the acetato groups form almost symmetrical chelates (Cd–O distances in average 232.1 and 237.8 pm); this leads to a distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal arrangement at the cadmium atoms. [Co(NPEt₃)(O₂C–CH₃)]₄: Space group P 1, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –60 °C: a = 1110.1(2), b = 2051.3(5), c = 2169.5(4) pm, α = 100.03(2)°, β = 103.404(15)°, γ = 97.63(2)°, R = 0.0480. [Cd(NPEt₃)(O₂C–CH₃)]₄ · 2 CH₂Cl₂: Space group C2/c, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –80 °C: a = 1550.2(1), b = 2101.1(1), c = 1706.1(1) pm, β = 91.09(1)°, R = 0.0311.