Two enantiomers of [Cu3(mnt)3]3− as ligands to Cu(i) or Ag(i) in building [Cu6M2(mnt)6]4− complexes (M = Cu or Ag) with the reversal of the reaction by X− (X = Cl, Br)†
Abstract
Two enantiomers of [Bu4N]3[Cu3(mnt)3] (1) formed by Na2(mnt) (mnt = maleonitriledithiolate, [S2C2(CN)2]2−) and CuCl in a 1 : 1 molar ratio react further with MCl (M = Cu or Ag) involving both the enantiomers of 1 to produce the larger complex, [Bu4N]4[Cu6M2(mnt)6] (M = Cu (2), Ag (3)) from which the capped Cu+ or Ag+ ion can readily be removed by Bu4NX (X = Cl, Br), reverting 2 or 3 back to 1. Such reversal does not work with non-coordinating anions like BF4−, ClO4− and PF6−.