Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the tungsten dimetallatetrahedrane complex[W2Cl4(µ-Cl)2(µ-C2Me2)(THF)2](THF = tetrahydrofuran)

Abstract

Treatment of {[W₂Cl₇(THF)₅]Na} with excess of alkyne gives the dimetallatetrahedrane compounds, [W₂Cl₄(µ-Cl)₂(µ-C₂RR′)(THF)₂](R = R′= H, Me, Et; R = H, R′= Ph); the X-ray crystal structure of [W₂Cl₄(µ-Cl)₂(µ-C₂Me₂)(THF)₂](1) reveals a confacial bioctahedral co-ordination environment about the ditungsten centre with a bridging alkyne unit.