The first trigonal prismatic discrete transition-metal boride cluster: preparation and molecular structure of [PPN][Ru6(H)2(CO)18B][PPN =(Ph3P)2N+]

Abstract

The reaction of [PPN][Ru₃(CO)₉B₂H₅] with [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂] leads to two borido clusters: [PPN][Ru₆(H)₂(CO)₁₈B], [PPN][1], and [PPN][Ru₆(CO)₁₇B], [PPN][2]; complex 1 the structure of which has been confirmed crystallographically, is the first example of an interstitial boron atom encapsulated within a trigonal prismatic transition-metal cage and provides a useful model for a bulk metal-rich boride.