Investigation into the formation of heteronuclear clusters of formula [{Ru6C(CO)(16)Ag2X}(2)](2-) (X = Cl, Br or I)

摘要

Reaction of [Ru6C(CO)(16)](2-) with an excess of AgX (X = Cl, Br or I) affords heteronuclear clusters of formula [{Ru6C(CO)(16)Ag2X}(2)](2-) in 80% yield, which for X = I and X = Br/Cl were crystallographically characterised. The formation of the cluster was followed in solution using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), which revealed the presence of a wide range of clusters with the general formula [{Ru6C(CO)(16)} xAgyXz]((2x-y+z)-) where x = 1 or 2, y = 1, 2, 3 or 4 and z = 0, 1 or 2. The high yield of the product despite the evident complicated solution speciation is attributed to selective crystallisation of the observed compound driving the equilibrium toward this product.