Inorganic Chemistry, Vol.37, No.2, 328-333, 1998
Ligand substitution reactions of [Re6S8Br6](4-) : A basis set of Re6S8 clusters for building multicluster assemblies
Access to the molecular solution chemistry of face-capped octahedral cluster cores of the type [Re-6(mu(3)-Q)(8)](2+) (Q = S, Se) has recently been realized in this laboratory by the protocol of dimensional reduction of solid frameworks containing bridged cores. Anew series of triethylphosphine-ligated hexanuclear rhenium clusters has been prepared from the starting cluster [Re6S8Br6](4-) by ligand substitution of terminal bromide Ligands using excess Et3P in DMF at elevated temperatures. These clusters are of the general formula [Re6S8(PEt3)(n)Br6-n]((n-4)+) (n = 2-6). The following compounds were synthesized : (Bu4N)(2)[cis-Re6S8(PEt3)(2)Br-4] (in limited quantity), (Bu4N)(2)[trans-Re6S8(PEt3)(2)Br-4], (BU4N)[mer-Re6S8(PEt3)(5)Br-3], (BU4N)[fac-Re6S8(PEt3)(3)Br-3], cis-[Re6S8(PEt3)(4)Br-2], trans-[Re6S8(PEt3)(4)Br-2], [Re6S8(PEt3)(5)Br]Br, and [Re6S8(PEt3)(6)]Br-2. All clusters exhibit characteristic P-31 NMR spectra, and all except (Bu4N)[fac-Re6S8(PEt3)(3)Br-3] have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The [Re6S8](2+) core is analogous to the [Re6S8](2+) core also under investigation in this laboratory, but it has the advantage of increased thermal control over the substitution process. Both disubstituted isomers. cis- and trans-[Re6S8(PEt3)(2)-Br-4](2-), are accessible with the [Re6S8](2+) core but not with [Re6Se8](2+). This set of clusters, together with [Re6Se8(PEt3)(n)I6-n]((n-4)+) (n = 3-6) prepared earlier, constitute an array of building blocks for the potential synthesis of multicluster assemblies by halide Ligand substitution with bridging ligands or with ligands subject to removal by thermolysis.
Keywords:CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE;SUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY;MOLECULAR RECOGNITION;DIMENSIONAL REDUCTION;(2+) Q=S ;SELF-ORGANIZATION;COMPLEX;SOLIDS;IONS;PERSPECTIVES