Preparation and structure of a non-carbide-stabilized octahedral rhenium cluster: [NEt4][Re6H7(CO)18]

Abstract

The novel rhenium complex [NEt₄][Re₆H₇(CO)₁₈] has been isolated from the reaction between [Re₄H₄(CO)₁₂] and NEt₄BF₄ in dichloromethane with or without acetone which facilitates the reaction. Its crystal structure has been determined: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, a= 1 3.096(3), b= 19.408(4), c= 14.372(4)Å, β= 90.65(2)°, Z= 4, R= 0.0392 and R′= 0.0375 from 6498 independent reflections. This shows that the anion is a non-carbide-stabilized octahedral rhenium cluster. The Re–Re distances are consistent with all hydrides occupying µ₃-face-bridging positions.