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⁻.