[Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3−:Building Block for Multimetallic Cages

Abstract

AbstractA cluster‐ligand is disclosed in the form of [Ru3(CN)3(CO)9]3− ([1]3−). Produced by simple reaction of [Ru3(CO)12] with cyanide, [1]3− serves as a precursor to a series of μ‐CN cages. When treated with [Ru3(CO)12], it readily forms the prism [Ru6(μ‐CN)3(CO)18]3−. With 1.5 equiv. of [Cu(MeCN)4]+ [1]3− reacts to give the expanded prism {Cu3[Ru3(μ‐CN)3(CO)9]2}3−, which features three two‐coordinate Cu(I) centers. Sources of Ni2+ and Fe2+ bind two equivalents of [1]3−, giving the double cages {M[Ru3(μ‐CN)3(CO)9]2}4− (M=Ni, Fe) wherein the central metal is octahedral. The 1 : 1 reaction using [Fe(H2O)6]2+ gave the interpenetrated super‐tetrahedrane {Fe4(μ4‐O)[Ru3(μ‐CN)3(CO)9]4}4−.