Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical behaviour of the [Fe4Au(CO)16]n–(n= 1,2,3) clusters. X-Ray structure of [NMe3CH2Ph]2[Fe4Au(CO)16]Cl

Abstract

The new green [Fe₄Au(CO)₁₆]^– cluster anion, isolated from the reaction of [Fe₃(CO)₁₁]^2– with [AuCI₄]^– salts, displays a bow-tie metal structure similar to that of the [Fe₄M(CO)₁₆]^2–(M = Pd, Pt) dianions; its chemical and electrochemical reduction sequentially affords the corresponding [Fe₄Au(CO)₁₆]^2–and [Fe₄Au(CO)₁₆]^3–anions, the former of which may be considered as a formal d⁹ gold(II) complex of the [Fe₂(CO)₈]^2– ligand.