Journal of Structural Biology, Vol.139, No.3, 147-151, 2002
Low-temperature, high yield synthesis, and convenient isolation of the high-electron-density cluster compound Ta6Br14 center dot 8H(2)O for use in biomacromolecular crystallographic phase determination
Reduction of TaBr5 with Ga in the presence of KBr in a sealed borosilicate ampule at 400degrees, followed by aqueous Soxhlet extraction and addition of stannous bromide and hydrobromic acid to the extract, yielded Ta(6)Br(14)(.)8H(2)O in 80-84% yield. The new procedure provides a convenient, low temperature, high yield route to the synthesis of the title compound from inexpensive precursors. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.