Isolation and X-ray structure determination of the cluster dianion [Os20Hg(C)2(CO)48]2–, and the identification of the cluster previously reported with this stoicheiometry as [Os18Hg3(C)2(CO)42]2–
Abstract
The reaction of [Os10C(CO)24]2–(3) with mercuric salts has been reinvestigated and with Hg(O2CCF3)2 it gives mixtures of two 21 metal heteronuclear cluster dianions [Os18Hg3(C)2(CO)42]2–(4) and [Os20Hg(C)2(CO)48]2–(5) together with an intermediate, [Os10C(CO)24(HgO2CCF3)](6) in varying proportions depending on reaction conditions; X-ray structure analysis of salts of [Os10C(CO)24(HgCF3)]–(6a), an analogue of (6), and of [Os20Hg(C)2(CO)48]2–(5) are reported, the latter having a previously unobserved metal framework consisting of two [Os10C(CO)24] units linked by a single mercury atom bridge; the previously reported solid state 21 metal framework, believed to be that of [Os20Hg(C)2(CO)48]2– has now been reassigned as that of the cluster dianion [Os18Hg3(C)2(CO)42]2–(4)