Thiol exchange reactions of iron–molybdenum–sulphur clusters; preparation and X-ray crystal structure of [Et4N]3[Fe6Mo2S8(SCH2CH2OH)9], a water soluble iron–molybdenum–sulphur cluster

Abstract

Complete thiolato-ligand exchange has been demonstrated for [Fe₆Mo₂S₈(SR)₉]^3–(R = alkyl) complexes and used to prepare the water-soluble 2-hydroxyethanethiolato-derivative which has been structurally characterised as its [Et₄N]⁺ salt; the complex is stable in buffered aqueous solution, in the presence of an excess of 2-hydroxyethanethiol, and in the absence of dioxygen.