[ClZn8(SPh)16]–, A new, highly symmetrical cage containing metal atoms inside and outside an icosahedron of ligands; X-ray crystallographic study

Abstract

In the molecular cage [ClZn₄(µ-SPh)₁₂(ZnSPH)₄]^– the central chlorine atom is surrounded by a tetrahedron of zinc atoms, which is enclosed by an icosahedron of bridging benzenethiolate ligands, which links to an outer tetrahedral array of ZnSPh groups; the symmetry of the complete cage, excluding only the four outer phenyl-groups, is very close to that of the cubic point group T.