Octahedral Hexapalladium Pseudo-Td Pd6(µ3-CO)4(PEt3)6 with 80 Electron-Deficient Cluster Valence Electrons (CVEs) and a Comparison with Octahedral Hexapalladium Pseudo-C2v Pd6(µ3-CO)4(PMe3)7 with 82 CVEs: Computational Analysis and Resulting Implications.

The elusive octahedral hexapalladium Pd6(µ3-CO)4(PEt3)6 (1) was obtained by the reaction of Pd10(CO)12(PEt3)6 with TlCo(CO)4 in tetrahydrofuran under N2 at 55 °C. Its pseudo-Td octahedral structure, established from a CCD X-ray diffractometry study at 100 K, has the highest ideal symmetry of any of the characterized octahedral-based CO/PR3-ligated homopalladium Pdn clusters (n = 6, 7, 8, 10). Each Pd atom in 1 is coordinated to a PEt3 ligand, and each nonadjacent triangular Pd3 face is capped by a triply bridging µ3-CO ligand. The 31P{1H} NMR and IR spectra of 1 are in accordance with its solid-state molecular structure. Cluster 1 has a total of 80 cluster valence electrons (CVEs), the lowest reported for octahedral-based metal polyhedra that normally conform to the Wade-Mingos bonding rule with an 86 CVE count. Comparative density functional theory calculations involving natural population analysis are presented for trimethylphosphine analogues of the triethylphosphine (1-Me) and the previously reported octahedral hexapalladium trimethylphosphine Pd6(µ3-CO)4(PMe3)7 (2), which has pseudo-C2v symmetry with 82 total CVEs.

Isolation and Structural Characterization of a Mackay 55-Metal-Atom Two-Shell Icosahedron of Pseudo-Ih Symmetry, Pd55L12(µ3-CO)20 (L = PR3, R = Isopropyl): Comparative Analysis with Interior Two-Shell Icosahedral Geometries in Capped Three-Shell Pd145, Pt-Centered Four-Shell Pd-Pt M165, and Four-Shell Au133 Nanoclusters.

We present the first successful isolation and crystallographic characterization of a Mackay 55-metal-atom two-shell icosahedron, Pd55L12(µ3-CO)20 (L = PPr(i)3) (1). Its two-shell icosahedron of pseudo-Ih symmetry (without isopropyl substituents) enables a structural/bonding comparison with interior 55-metal-atom two-shell icosahedral geometries observed within the multi-shell capped 145-metal-atom three-shell Pd145(CO)72(PEt3)30 and 165-metal-atom four-shell Pt-centered (µ12-Pt)Pd164-xPtx(CO)72(PPh3)20 (x ≈ 7) nanoclusters, and within the recently reported four-shell Au133(SC6H4-p-Bu(t))52 nanocluster. DFT calculations carried out on a Pd55(CO)20(PH3)12 model analogue, with triisopropyl phosphine substituents replaced by H atoms, revealed a positive +0.84 e charge for the entire Pd55 core, with a highly positive second-shell Pd42 surface of +1.93 e.

Nanosized {Pd4(µ4-C)}Pd32(CO)28(PMe3)14 Containing Tetrahedrally Deformed Pd4 Cage with Encapsulated Carbide Atom: Formal Substitution of Geometrically Analogous Interior Au4 Entity in Isostructural Au4Pd32(CO)28(PMe3)14 by Electronically Equivalent Pd4(µ4-C) and Computational/Catalytic Implications.

This first homopalladium carbido cluster, {Pd4(µ4-C)}Pd32(CO)28(PMe3)14 (1), was isolated (3-7% yields) from an ultimately simplified procedure-the reaction of CHCl3 under N2 with either Pd8(CO)8(PMe3)7 or Pd10(CO)12(PMe3)6 at room temperature. Charge-coupled device (CCD) X-ray diffraction data at 100 K for 1·2.5 C6H14 (1a) and 1·3 CHCl3 (1b) produced closely related molecular parameters for 1. This {Pd4C}Pd32 cluster (1) possesses a highly unusual tetracoordinated carbide atom that causes a major distortion of a central regular Pd4 tetrahedron into a new symmetry type of encapsulated Pd4 cage of pseudo-D2 (222) symmetry. Mean Pd-Pd distances for the three pairs of opposite twofold-equivalent Pd-Pd tetrahedral-like edges for 1a are 2.71, 2.96, and 3.59 Å; the mean of the four Pd-C distances [range, 1.87(2)-1.94(2) Å] is 1.91 Å. An astonishing molecular feature is that this {Pd4C}Pd32 cluster (1) is an isostructural and electronically equivalent analogue of the nanosized Au4Pd32(CO)28(PMe3)14 (2). Cluster 2, likewise a pseudo-D2 molecule, contains a geometrically analogous tetrahedrally deformed interior Au4 entity encapsulated within an identical Pd32(CO)28(PMe3)14 shell; mean distances for the three corresponding symmetry-equivalent pairs of slightly smaller opposite tetrahedral-distorted Au-Au edges are 2.64, 2.90, and 3.51 Å. A computational study by both a natural population analysis (NPA) and an atoms-in-molecules (AIM) method performed on model analogues {Pd4C}Pd32(CO)28(PH3)14 (1-mod) and Au4Pd32(CO)28(PH3)14 (2-mod) suggested that the negatively charged Au4 entity in 2-mod may be described as two weakly interacting electron-pair Au2 intradimers. In contrast, an NPA of the {Pd4C} entity in 1-mod revealed that two similarly oriented identical Pd2 intradimers of 2.71 Å are primarily stabilized by Pd-C bonding with a negatively charged carbide atom. The isostructural stabilizations of 1 and 2 are then attributed to the similar sizes, shapes, and overall negative charge distributions of the electronically equivalent interior {Pd4C} and Au4 entities. This resulting remarkable structural/electronic equivalency between 1 and 2 is consistent with the greatly improved performances of commercial palladium catalysts for vinyl acetate synthesis by gold-atom incorporation to suppress carbonization of the Pd atoms, namely, that the extra Au 6s(1) valence electron of each added Au atom provides an effective "negative charge protection" against electron-donating carbon atoms forming Pd carbido species such as {Pd4C}.

Acid/base-controlled AuI/Au0 reductive transformations of the monogold [(µ14-Au)Pd22(CO)20(PEt3)8]+ monocation into three different neutral digold nanoclusters: Au2Pd21(CO)20(PEt3)10, Au2Pd28(CO)26(PEt3)10, and new five-layer hexagonal close-packed (µ12-Au)2Pd42(CO)30(PEt3)12 with a trigonal-bipyramidal AuPd3Au kernel.

The monogold [(µ(14)-Au)Pd(22)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(8)](+) nanocation (2, with a [(CF(3)CO(2))(2)H](-) counterion) is shown to be a versatile precursor for the generation of three different neutral Au-Pd nanoclusters with double gold content in their distinctly dissimilar bimetallic architectures. These carbon monoxide (CO)-induced conversions are based on the reduction of Au(I) to Au(0) that is controlled by the reaction medium. Under basic and acidic conditions, the known Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) (3; >90% yield) and Au(2)Pd(28)(CO)(26)(PEt(3))(10) (4; ∼40% yield), respectively, were obtained, whereas neutral conditions gave rise to the new (µ(12)-Au)(2)Pd(42)(CO)(30)(PEt(3))(12) (1; ∼10-20% yield; all yields based on gold). The molecular structure of 1, established from a 100 K CCD X-ray diffraction study, consists of a five-layer hexoganol close-packed (hcp) Au(2)Pd(42) framework of pseudo-D(3)h symmetry (crystallographic D(3) site symmetry) of the Pd(6)/AuPd(9)/Pd(12)/AuPd(9)/Pd(6) layer sequence, with the Au atoms centering two identical hcp (µ(12)-Au)Pd(12) face-fused anti-cuboctahedral fragments. The 12 Et(3)-attached P atoms are coordinated to the triangular vertex Pd atoms in the four outer layers (except the middle Pd(12)); all five layers are stapled by interlayer bridging COs. The radial Au(cent)-Pd mean distance of 2.79 Å within the two symmetry-equivalent (µ(12)-Au)Pd(12) anti-cuboctahedral fragments of 1 is identical with the radial Pd(cent)-Pd mean distances within hcp (µ(12)-Pd)Pd(12) anti-cuboctahedral fragments of the two geometrically related nondistorted layered structures of Pd(52)(CO)(36)(PEt(3))(14) and [Ni(9)Pd(33)(CO)(41)(PPh(3))(6)](4-) ([PPh(4)](+) counterion), indicating a strain-free structural effect upon the substitution of Au for Pd in their analogous hcp layer-stacked arrangements. It provides prime evidence for an extension to 1 of our previous self-consistent experimental/theoretical-based hypothesis for delocalization of the 6s valence Au electrons in Au(2)Pd(21) (3) and Au(2)Pd(28) (4) toward a formal closed-shell Au(+) configuration that is electronically equivalent to that of zerovalent Pd.

Ion exchange of protons by coinage metals to give gold and silver encapsulation within a pseudo-D2d distorted face-capped Pd14 cubic kernel: [(µ14-M)Pd22(CO)20(PEt3)8]+ (M = Au, Ag).

Heart of gold (or silver): The pseudo-D2d distorted MPd14 cubic kernel of [(µ14-M)Pd22(CO)20(PEt3)8](+) cations, with M = Au (1), Ag (2), has an encapsulated M atom (see picture; yellow) coordinated to eight cubic corner (black) and six face-capping Pd atoms (gray). Compounds 1 and 2 were obtained (28-60 % yields) from two-step/one-pot reactions of a Pd10 precursor with CF3CO2 H followed by coinage-metal ion exchange of protons.

How innocent is thallium(I)? Corrected formulations of [Tl2Pd14(CO)9(PMe3)11][PF6]2 and [TlPd9(CO)9(PPh3)6][PF6] clusters previously reported as corresponding Au2Pd14 and AuPd9 clusters.

Two previously reported cationic clusters, Au(2)Pd(14) (1-Me) and AuPd(9) (2-Ph), obtained by similar reactions of CO/PR(3)-ligated Pd(0) clusters with in the presence of TlPF(6) are shown to be [Tl(2)Pd(14)(CO)(9)(PMe(3))(11)](2+) (1a-Me) and [TlPd(9)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(6)](+) (2a-Ph), respectively. These clusters ([PF(6)](-) counterion) were prepared without the presence of gold by reactions of either Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PMe(3))(6) or Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PPh(3))(6) with TlPF(6) and characterized crystallographically and spectroscopically.

CO-induced formation of an interpenetrating bicuboctahedral Au2Pd18 kernel in nanosized Au2Pd28(CO)26(PEt3)10: formal replacement of an interior (µ12-Pd)2 fragment in the corresponding known isostructural homopalladium Pd30(CO)26(PEt3)10 with nonisovalent (µ12-Au)2 and resulting experimental/theoretical implications.

Initially isolated from Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PEt(3))(6) (5) and Au(SMe(2))Cl precursors in a two-step carbon monoxide (CO)-involved procedure, the nanosized interpenetrating bicuboctahedral gold (Au)-palladium (Pd) Au(2)Pd(28)(CO)(26)(PEt(3))(10) (1) was then directly obtained in 25-30% yield from the CO-induced reaction of the CO-stable Au-centered cuboctahedral Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) (3) with the structurally analogous CO-unstable Pd(23)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) (4). Our hypothesis that this latter synthesis is initiated by the reaction of 3 with coordinatively unsaturated homopalladium species resulting from CO-induced fragmentation of 4 was subsequently substantiated by the alternatively designed synthesis of 1 (∼25% yield) from the CO-induced reaction of 3 with the structurally dissimilar CO-unstable Pd(38)(CO)(28)(PEt(3))(12) (6). The composition of 1, unambiguously established from a 100 K CCD X-ray diffractometry study, is in accordance with single-crystal X-ray Au-Pd field-emission microanalysis. The pseudo-C(2h) 30-atom Au(2)Pd(28) geometry of 1 may be formally derived via substitution of the interior (µ(12)-Pd)(2) moiety in the interpenetrating bicuboctahedral Pd(20) kernel of the known isostructural Pd(30)(CO)(26)(PEt(3))(10) (2) with the corresponding interior (µ(12)-Au)(2) moiety, in which the otherwise entire metal-core geometry and CO/PR(3)-ligated environment are essentially not altered. Of major significance is that this interior nonisovalent Pd-by-Au replacement in 2 produces CO-stable 1, whereas nanosized CO/PR(3)-ligated homopalladium Pd(n) clusters with n > 10 are generally unstable under CO. Because the two adjacent encapsulated Au atoms of 2.811(1) Å separation are not present on the metal surface, isolation of 1 under CO is ascribed to an electronic property. The virtually ideal geometrical site-occupancy fit between 1 and 2 provides definite crystallographic evidence for extensive delocalization in 1 of the two valence Au 6s electrons over the entire cluster (instead of a "localized" covalent Au-Au electron-pair interaction). Gradient-corrected (pseudo-scalar-relativistic) density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on the isostructural Au(2)Pd(28)(CO)(26)(PH(3))(10) (1-H) and Pd(30)(CO)(26)(PH(3))(10) (2-H) model clusters along with hypothetical [Au(2)Pd(28)(1-H)](2+) and [Pd(30)(2-H)](2-) analogues (with phosphine ethyl substituents replaced by hydrogen ones). Natural population analysis of these four model clusters revealed similar highly positively charged metal surfaces of 28 Pd atoms relative to the two negatively charged interior metal atoms, which reflect a partially oxidized metal surface due to dominant CO back-bonding. The surprising observation that each less electronegative interior Pd atom in 2-H is more negatively charged by 0.30e than each interior Au atom in 1-H points to a more cationic Au in 1 than interior Pd in 2; this unexpected (opposite) charge difference is consistent with delocalization of each Au 6s valence electron toward a Au(+) configuration. This premise is in agreement with the calculated Wiberg bond index (WBI) value of 0.055 for the Au-Au bond order in 1-H versus the WBI single-bond value of 1.01 obtained from analogous DFT calculations for the bare, neutral Au(2) dimer, which has a much shorter spectroscopically determined gas-phase distance of 2.472 Å (that corresponds to a "localized" electron-pair interaction). Isolation of 1 under CO is of prime importance in nanoscience/nanotechnology in establishing relative stabilizations toward CO in well-defined CO/PEt(3)-ligated nonisovalent Pd(2)-by-Au(2)-substituted Au(2)Pd(n-2) clusters [namely, n = 30 (1) and 23 (3)]. These important stereochemical implications have a direct relevance to the recent report of the higher tolerance to CO poisoning of highly active Au-Pd nanoparticle catalysts used for the complete conversion of formic acid into high-purity hydrogen (and CO(2)) for chemical hydrogen storage.

Syntheses, structures and properties of primarily nanosized homo/heterometallic palladium CO/PR3-ligated clusters.

Syntheses, properties and structures of nanosized palladium CO/PR(3)-ligated homo- and heterometallic clusters containing up to 165 metal atoms are the focus of this review. The work discussed is primarily that of the authors and their coworkers. We propose that the unparalleled variety of structural types and the distinctive reactivities of neutral Pd(n)(CO)(x)(PR(3))(y) clusters composed of zerovalent Pd atoms are a consequence of relatively weak Pd-L(ligand) and Pd(0)-Pd(0) interactions that result from the stable 5s(0)4d(10) closed-shell electron configuration of atomic Pd in its ground state.

Nanosized Pd37(CO)28{P(p-Tolyl)3}12 containing geometrically unprecedented central 23-atom interpenetrating tri-icosahedral palladium kernel of double icosahedral units: its postulated metal-core evolution and resulting stereochemical implications.

Pd37(CO)28{P(p-Tolyl)3}12 (1) was obtained in approximately 50% yield by the short-time thermolysis of Pd10(CO)12{P(p-Tolyl)3}6 in THF solution followed by crystallization via layering with hexane under N2. The low-temperature (100 K) CCD X-ray diffraction study of 1 revealed an unusual non-spheroidal Pd37-atom polyhedron, which may be readily envisioned to originate via the initial formation of a heretofore non-isolated central Pd23 kernel composed of three interpenetrating trigonal-planar double icosahedra (DI) that are oriented along the three bonding edges of its interior Pd3 triangle. This central Pd23 kernel is augmented by face condensations with two additional phosphorus-free and 12 tri(p-C6H4Me)phosphine-ligated Pd atoms, which lower the pseudo-symmetry of the resulting 37-atom metal core from D(3h) to C2. The 12 P atoms and 28 bridging CO connectivities preserve the pseudo-C2 symmetry. The central Pd23 kernel in 1 provides the only crystallographic example of the 23-atom member of the double icosahedral family of "twinned" interpenetrating icosahedra (II), which includes the 19-atom two II (1 DI), the 23-atom three II (3 DI), the 26-atom four II (6 DI), and the 29-atom five II (9 DI). The n-atoms of these DI models coincide exactly with prominent atom-peak maxima of 19, 23, 26, and 29, respectively, in the mass spectrum of charged argon clusters formed in a low-temperature free-jet expansion. The only previous crystallographically proven 26- and 29-atom DI members are the central pseudo-T(d) tetrahedral Pd26 kernel (4 II, 6 DI) in the PMe3-ligated Pd29Ni3(CO)22(PMe3)13 (2) and the central pseudo-D(3h) trigonal-bipyramidal Pd29 kernel (5 II, 9 DI) in the PMe3-ligated Pd35(CO)23(PMe3)15 (3). Two highly important major stereochemical implications are noted: (1) The formation of geometrically identical idealized architectures for these three II palladium kernels with corresponding DI models constructed for the charged argon clusters provides compelling evidence that the nature of delocalized Pd-Pd bonding in these II (and presumably other nanosized) Pd clusters, in which each zerovalent Pd atom individually has a closed-subshell 4d (10) ground state, may likewise (as in argon clusters) be viewed primarily in terms of (considerably stronger) attractive dispersion interactions. (2) The existence of the 23-atom II Pd23 kernel in 1 provides an essential heretofore "missing" geometrical link as an intermediate in the same sequential growth pathway to give the 26- and 29-atom II Pd(n) kernels found in 2 and 3, respectively. Accommodation of the 12 bulky P(p-Tolyl)3 ligands around the entire 37-atom palladium core necessitates an extended metal surface that originates from the pseudo-2D trigonal-planar Pd23 kernel found in 1. The much smaller PMe3 ligands in 2 and 3 would sterically allow further sequential transformations of an initially formed 23-atom II intermediate palladium kernel into the 26-atom spheroidal II palladium kernel in 2 or further into the 29-atom semi-spheroidal II palladium kernel in 3, but with smaller total metal-atom nuclearities of 32 and 35, respectively.

Nanosized (mu12-Pt)Pd164-xPtx(CO)72(PPh3)20 (x approximately 7) containing Pt-centered four-shell 165-atom Pd-Pt core with unprecedented intershell bridging carbonyl ligands: comparative analysis of icosahedral shell-growth patterns with geometrically related Pd145(CO)x(PEt3)30 (x approximately 60) containing capped three-shell Pd145 core.

Presented herein are the preparation and crystallographic/microanalytical/magnetic/spectroscopic characterization of the Pt-centered four-shell 165-atom Pd-Pt cluster, (mu(12)-Pt)Pd(164-x)Pt(x)(CO)(72)(PPh(3))(20) (x approximately 7), 1, that replaces the geometrically related capped three-shell icosahedral Pd(145) cluster, Pd(145)(CO)(x)(PEt(3))(30) (x approximately 60), 2, as the largest crystallographically determined discrete transition metal cluster with direct metal-metal bonding. A detailed comparison of their shell-growth patterns gives rise to important stereochemical implications concerning completely unexpected structural dissimilarities as well as similarities and provides new insight concerning possible synthetic approaches for generation of multi-shell metal clusters. 1 was reproducibly prepared in small yields (<10%) from the reaction of Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PPh(3))(6) with Pt(CO)(2)(PPh(3))(2). Its 165-atom metal-core geometry and 20 PPh(3) and 72 CO ligands were established from a low-temperature (100 K) CCD X-ray diffraction study. The well-determined crystal structure is attributed largely to 1 possessing cubic T(h) (2/m3) site symmetry, which is the highest crystallographic subgroup of the noncrystallographic pseudo-icosahedral I(h) (2/m35) symmetry. The "full" four-shell Pd-Pt anatomy of 1 consists of: (a) shell 1 with the centered (mu(12)-Pt) atom encapsulated by the 12-atom icosahedral Pt(x)Pd(12-x) cage, x = 1.2(3); (b) shell 2 with the 42-atom nu(2) icosahedral Pt(x)Pd(42-x) cage, x = 3.5(5); (c) shell 3 with the anti-Mackay 60-atom semi-regular rhombicosidodecahedral Pt(x)Pd(60-x) cage, x = 2.2(6); (d) shell 4 with the 50-atom nu(2) pentagonal dodecahedral Pd(50) cage. The total number of crystallographically estimated Pt atoms, 8 +/- 3, which was obtained from least-squares (Pt(x)/Pd(1-x))-occupancy analysis of the X-ray data that conclusively revealed the central atom to be pure Pt (occupancy factor, x = 1.00(3)), is fortuitously in agreement with that of 7.6(7) found from an X-ray Pt/Pd microanalysis (WDS spectrometer) on three crystals of 1. Our utilization of this site-occupancy (Pt(x)Pd(1-x))-analysis for shells 1-3 originated from the microanalytical results; otherwise, the presumed metal-core composition would have been (mu(12)-Pt)Pd(164). [Alternatively, the (mu(12)-Pt)M(164) core-geometry of 1 may be viewed as a pseudo-Ih Pt-centered six-shell successive nu(1) polyhedral system, each with radially equivalent vertex atoms: Pt@M(12)(icosahedron)@M(30)(icosidodecahedron)@M(12)(icosahedron)@M(60)(rhombicosidodecahedron)@M(30)(icosidodecahedron)@M(20)(pentagonal dodecahedron)]. Completely surprising structural dissimilarities between 1 and 2 are: (1) to date 1 is only reproducibly isolated as a heterometallic Pd-Pt cluster with a central Pt instead of Pd atom; (2) the 50 atoms comprising the outer fourth nu(2) pentagonal dodecahedral shell in 1 are less than the 60 atoms of the inner third shell in 1, in contradistinction to shell-by-shell growth processes in all other known shell-based structures; (3) the 10 fewer PR3 ligands in 1 necessitate larger bulky PPh(3) ligands to protect the Pd-Pt core-geometry; (4) the 72 CO ligands consist of six bridging COs within each of the 12 pentagons in shell 4 that are coordinated to intershell metal atoms. SQUID magnetometry measurements showed a single-crystal sample of 1 to be diamagnetic over the entire temperature range of 10-300 K.

Aprotic synthesis and structural determination of the nanosized nonprotonated nu3-octahedral [Pt6Ni38(CO)48]6- hexaanion stabilized as a cubic solvated [NMe4]+ salt.

The nonprotonated member, 1 (n = 6), of the previously established nanosized nu3-octahedral [H(6-n)Pt6Ni38(CO)48]n- series (n = 3-6) has been isolated from an aprotic synthetic route and stabilized as the crystal-ordered cyclohexane/acetonitrile-solvated [NMe4]+ salt. A highly precise X-ray determination (cubic; Pa3; Z = 4 with 1 possessing -3 site symmetry) has allowed a comparative analysis of the nonprotonated pseudo-D3d structure of 1 with the monoprotonated structure of 2 (n = 5), which constitutes the only previously reported complete geometry of any member of this extraordinary Pt6-encapsulated nu3-octahedral Pt6Ni38 cluster series.

Structural/bonding insights from new geometrical varieties of two Pt-Au carbonyl/phosphine clusters, [Pt3(AuPPh3)5(mu2-CO)2L3]+ (L3 = (CO)2PPh3) and [(mu6-Au){Pt3(mu2-CO)3L4}2]+ (L = PMe3).

Structural/bonding considerations of two new Pt-Au clusters, [Pt3(AuPPh3)5(mu2-CO)2(CO)2PPh3]+ (1) and [(mu6-Au){Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PMe3)4}2]+ (2) isolated (as chloride salts), revealed: (i) that the heretofore unknown 20-electron Pt-centered Pt2Au5 icosahedral cage fragment (five missing vertices) of is best viewed as a 44-electron triangular Pt3 adduct of a nearly planar 39-electron [Pt3(mu2-CO)2L3]+ (L3 = (CO)2PPh3) and five one-electron donating AuPPh3 ligands; and (ii) that the geometrically distorted trimethylphosphine "full" Pt3AuPt3 sandwich of is the first example of two nucleophilic 44-electron triangular Pt3(mu2-CO)3L4 (3 : 3 : 4) units (L = PMe3) which asymmetrically encapsulate a central electrophilic Au(I).

Syntheses and structural analyses of variable-stoichiometric Au-Pt-Ni carbonyl/phosphine clusters, Pt3(Pt(1-x)Ni(x))(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 and Pt2(Pt(2-y)Ni(y))(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2, with ligation-induced site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder within butterfly-based Pt3(Pt(1-x)Ni(x))Au2 and Pt2(Pt(2-y)Ni(y))Au2 core-geometries.

In ongoing attempts of directed synthesis of high-nuclearity Au-Pt carbonyl/phosphine clusters with [Ni6(CO)12]2- used as reducing agent and CO source, we have isolated and characterized two new closely related variable-stoichiometric trimetallic clusters, Pt3(Pt(1-x)Ni(x))(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1) and Pt2(Pt(2-y)Ni(y))(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2). Their M4Au2 cores may be envisioned as substitutional disordered butterfly-based M4Au2 frameworks (M = Pt/Ni) formed by connections of the two basal M(B) atoms with both (Au-Au)-linked Au(PPh3) moieties. Based upon low-temperature CCD X-ray diffraction studies of eight crystals obtained from different samples, ligation-induced site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder (involving formal insertion of Ni in place of Pt) in a given crystal was found to occur only at the one OC-attached basal M(B) site in 1 or at both OC-attached basal M(B) sites in 2 corresponding to a crystal composite of the Pt3(Pt(1-x)Ni(x))Au2 core in 1 or of the Pt2(Pt(2-y)Ni(y))Au2 core in 2; the Ph3P-attached M(B) site (M(B) = Pt) in 1 and two wingtip M(w) sites (M(w) = Pt) in 1 and 2 were not substitutionally disordered. The resulting variable stoichiometry of the M4Au2 core in 1 may be viewed as a crystal composite of two superimposed individual stereoisomers, Pt4(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1a) and Pt3Ni(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)(PPh3)3 (1b), in the averaged unit cell of a given crystal. Likewise, 2 represents the crystal-averaged composite of three individual stereoisomers, Pt4(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2a), Pt3Ni(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2b), and Pt2Ni2(AuPPh3)2(mu2-CO)4(CO)2(PPh3)2 (2c). Formal Ni substitution for Pt at only the basal M(B) site(s) in the four crystal composites each of 1 and 2 was found to vary widely from 17% to 79% Ni in 1 and from 21% to 95% Ni in 2. Nevertheless, reasonably close Pt/Ni occupancy factors were found within each of the four pairs of composite crystals selected from samples obtained from duplicate syntheses. Both 1 and 2 may be formally derived from the electronically equivalent classic butterfly Pt4(mu2-CO)5(PPh3)4 cluster by replacement of its bridging mu2-CO ligand spanning the basal M(B)-M(B) edge with two one-electron donating (Au-Au)-linked AuPPh3 moieties along with the substitution of a terminal CO in place of one or both M(B)-attached PPh3 ligands in 1 and 2, respectively; site-specific Pt/Ni substitutional disorder occurs only at the CO-attached M(B) sites. The variable-stoichiometric 1 and 2 re also electronically equivalent and geometrically related to the crystal-ordered butterfly-based Pt4(mu2-CO)4(PR3)4(mu3-HgX)2 clusters (R3 = Ph3, MePh2; X = CF3, Br, I).

Phosphine-ligated induced formation of thallium(I) full Pt3TlPt3 sandwich versus "open-face" TlPt3 sandwich with triangular Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PR3)3 units: synthesis and structural/spectroscopic analysis of triphenylphosphine [(mu3-Tl)Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PPh3)3]+ and its (mu3-AuPPh3)Pt3 analogue.

This research constitutes an operational test to assess the influence of platinum-attached phosphine ligands in the formation process of "open-face" TlPt3 or "full" Pt3TlPt3 sandwich clusters. Accordingly, the reaction of TlPF6 with triphenylphosphine Pt4(mu2-CO)5(PPh3)4, under essentially identical boundary conditions originally used to prepare (90% yield) the triethylphosphine "full" Pt3TlPt3 sandwich, [(mu6-Tl)Pt6(mu2-CO)6(PEt3)6]+ (3) ([PF6]- salt), from Pt4(mu2-CO)5(PEt3)4 was carried out to see whether it would likewise afford the unknown triphenylphosphine Pt3TlPt3 sandwich analogue of or whether the change of phosphine ligands from sterically smaller, more basic PEt3 to PPh3 would cause the product to be the corresponding unknown triphenylphosphine "open-face" TlPt3 sandwich that would geometrically resemble the known bulky tricyclohexylphosphine [(mu3-Tl)Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PCy3)3]+ sandwich (2a). Both the structure and composition of the resulting "open-face" sandwich product, [(mu3-Tl)Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PPh3)3]+ (1a) ([PF6]- salt), were unequivocally established from a low-temperature CCD X-ray crystallographic determination. The calculated Pt/Tl atom ratio (3/1) of 75%/25% is in excellent agreement with that of 72(3)%/28(5)% obtained from energy-resolved measurements on a single crystal with a scanning electron microscope. Crystals (80% yield) of the orange-red were characterized by solid-state/solution IR and variable temperature 205Tl and 31P{1H} NMR spectra; the 31P{1H} spectra provide convincing evidence that is exhibiting dynamic behavior at room temperature in CDCl3 solution. The corresponding new "open-face" (mu3-AuPPh3)Pt3 sandwich, [(mu3-AuPPh3)Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PPh3)3]+ (1b) ([PF6]- salt), was quantitatively obtained from by reaction with AuPPh3Cl and spectroscopically characterized by IR and 31P{1H} NMR spectra. A comparative geometrical evaluation of the observed steric dispositions of the platinum-attached PR3 ligands in the "open-face" (mu3-Tl)Pt3 sandwiches of (with PPh3) and the known (with PCy3) and in the known "full" Pt3TlPt3 sandwich of (with PEt3) along with the considerably different observed steric dispositions of the PR(3) ligands in the known "open-face" (mu3-AuPCy3)Pt3 sandwich of (with PCy3) and in the known "full" Pt3AuPt3 sandwich of (with PPh(3)) has been performed. The results clearly indicate that, in contradistinction to the known triphenylphosphine Pt3AuPt3 sandwich of , PPh3 and bulkier PCy3 ligands of Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PR3)3 units are sterically too large to form "full" Pt3TlPt3 sandwiches. In other words, the nature of the thallium(I) sandwich-product in these reactions is sterically controlled by size effects of the phosphine ligands. Comparative examination of bridging carbonyl IR frequencies of and with those of closely related "open-face" and "full" sandwiches provides better insight concerning the relative electrophilic capacities of Tl+, Au+, and [AuPR3]+ components in forming sandwich adducts with Pt3(mu2-CO)3(PR3)3 nucleophiles.

Synthesis and structural analysis of the first nanosized platinum-gold carbonyl/phosphine cluster, Pt13[Au2(PPh3)2]2(CO)10(PPh3)4, containing a Pt-centered [Ph3PAu-AuPPh3]-capped icosahedral Pt12 cage.

The preparation and molecular structure of the initial nanosized platinum-gold carbonyl cluster, Pt(13)[Au(2)(PPh(3))(2)](2)(CO)(10)(PPh(3))(4) (1), are described. A comparative analysis reveals its pseudo-D(2)(h) geometry, consisting of a centered Pt(13) icosahedron encapsulated by two centrosymmetrically related bidentate [Ph(3)PAu-AuPPh(3)]-capped ligands along with 4 PR(3) and 10 CO ligands, to be remarkably similar to that of the previously reported Pt(17)(mu(2)-CO)(4)(CO)(8)(PEt(3))(8) (2). Reformulation of 2 as Pt(13)[(PtPEt(3))(2)(mu(2)-CO)](2)(CO)(10)(PEt(3))(4) emphasizes the steric/electronic resemblance of the bulky-sized bidentate [Ph(3)PAu-AuPPh(3)] and [(PtPEt(3))(2)(mu(2)-CO)] capping ligands in 1 and 2, respectively, as well as their identical electron counts of 162 cluster valence electrons for a centered Pt(13) icosahedron. We hypothesize that analogous steric effects of their ligand polyhedra in 1 and 2 play a crucial role along with electronic effects in the formation and stabilization of these two nanosized clusters that contain an otherwise unknown centered icosahedron of platinum atoms.

Nanosized Au2Pd41(CO)27(PEt3)15 containing two geometrically unprecedented 13-coordinated Au-centered (mu 13-Au)Pd13 polyhedra connected by triangular face-sharing and three interpenetrating 12-coordinated Pd-centered (mu 12-Pd)Au2Pd10 icosahedra: geometrical change in centered polyhedra induced by Au/Pd electronegativity-mismatch.

The synthesis, isolation, and stereochemical characterization of Au(2)Pd(41)(CO)(27)(PEt(3))(15)(1) are described. This nanosized Au(2)Pd(41) cluster (maximum metal-core diameter, 1.04 nm) was originally obtained with Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) as low-yield by-products together with Pd(145)(CO)(x)(PEt(3))(30)(x approximately 60) from the reaction of Pd(PEt(3))(2)Cl(2) and Au(PPh(3))Cl in DMF with NaOH under CO atmosphere. The subsequent preparation of Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) in greatly improved yields (preceding article) thereby provided the starting material that led to the isolation of 1 in reasonable yields (54%) from an overnight refluxing of the preformed Au(2)Pd(21) cluster in THF under N(2). Both the composition (subsequently ascertained from elemental analysis) and molecular geometry of 1 were unequivocally established from a low-temperature CCD X-ray diffraction study, which revealed a cubic unit cell of P2(1)3 symmetry with four molecules of 1 and four co-crystallized triphenylphosphine oxide molecules each lying on a crystallographic three-fold axis. The entire Au(2)Pd(41) core of pseudo-C(3h) symmetry may be viewed as a central Au(2)Pd(29) fragment of pseudo-D(3h) symmetry composed of two heretofore geometrically unknown 13-coordinated Au-centered (mu(13)-Au)Pd(13) polyhedra that share a common internal Pd(i)(3) triangular face perpendicular to the C(3) principal axis and of three three-fold-related interpenetrating 12-coordinated Pd-centered (mu(12)-Pd)Au(2)Pd(10) icosahedra. A comparative analysis of this central Au(2)Pd(29) fragment in with an internal Au(i)(2)Pd(i)(3) trigonal bipyramid vs. the corresponding central Pd(29) fragment in the known homopalladium Pd(35)(CO)(23)(PMe(3))(15) (2) with an internal Pd(i)(5) trigonal bipyramid resulting from five interpenetrating 12-coordinated Pd-centered [(mu(12)-Pd)Pd(12)] icosahedra is particularly illuminating; it provides a striking illustration of the remarkable observed difference between Pd- vs. Au-centered polyhedra which is attributed to a large electronegativity-mismatch in radial bonding interactions that occurs upon replacement of the Pd-centered atom with a highly electronegative Au-centered atom. The entire Au(2)Pd(41) core-geometry is obtained by additional face-condensations of 12 tetracapping Pd(cap) atoms. This cluster is stabilized by 15 PEt(3) ligands and 27 doubly- and triply-bridging CO ligands. A close geometrical resemblance between the three three-fold-related Au(2)Pd(14) moities within the Au(2)Pd(41) core in 1 and the entire Au(2)Pd(14) core in the known [Au(2)Pd(14)(CO)(9)(PMe(3))(11)](2+) dication (3) is observed; resulting stereochemical implications are given.

Generation of AuPd22/Au2Pd21 analogues of the high-nuclearity Pd23(CO)20(PEt3)10 cluster containing 19-atom centered hexacapped-cuboctahedral (nu 2-octahedral) metal fragment: structural-to-synthesis approach concerning formation of Au2Pd21(CO)20(PEt3)10.

Reactions of Pd(PEt(3))(2)Cl(2) and Au(PPh(3))Cl in DMF with NaOH under CO atmosphere gave rise to the unique capped three-shell homopalladium Pd(145)(CO)(x)(PEt(3))(30)(x approximately 60) and two neutral Au-Pd clusters: Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) (1) and Au(2)Pd(41)(CO)(27)(PEt(3))(15)(following article). Similar reactions with Pd(PMe(3))(2)Cl(2) being used in place of Pd(PEt(3))(2)Cl(2) afforded Au(2)Pd(21)(CO)(20)(PMe(3))(10) (2), the trimethylphosphine analogue of, and the electronically equivalent [AuPd(22)(CO)(20)(PPh(3))(4)(PMe(3))(6)](-) monoanion (3) as the [PPh(4)](+) salt. Each of these three air-sensitive 23-atom heterometallic Au-Pd clusters was obtained in low yields (7-25%); however, their geometrical similarities with the known cuboctahedral-based homopalladium Pd(23)(CO)(20)(PEt(3))(10) (4), recently obtained in good yields from Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PEt(3))(6), suggested an alternative preparative route for obtaining. This "structure-to-synthesis" approach afforded 1 in 60-70% yields from reactions of Pd(10)(CO)(12)(PEt(3))(6) and Au(PPh(3))Cl in DMF with NaOH under N(2) atmosphere. Both the compositions and atomic arrangements for 1, 2 and 3 were unambiguously established from low-temperature single-crystal CCD X-ray crystallographic determinations in accordance with their nearly identical IR carbonyl frequencies. Cluster 1 was also characterized by (31)P[(1)H] NMR, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and elemental analysis. The virtually identical Au(2)Pd(21) core-architectures of 1 and 2 closely resemble that of 4, which consists of a centered hexa(square capped)-cuboctahedral Pd(19) fragment of pseudo-O(h) symmetry that alternatively may be viewed as a centered Pd(19)nu(2)-octahedron (where nu(n) designates (n + 1) equally spaced atoms along each edge). [AuPd(22)(CO)(20)(PPh(3))(4)(PMe(3))(6)](-) (3) in the crystalline state ([PPh(4)](+) salt) consists of two crystallographically independent monoanions 3A and 3B; a superposition analysis ascertained that their geometries are essentially equivalent. A CV indicates that reversibly undergoes two one-electron reductions and two one-electron oxidations; these reversible redox processes form the basis for an integrated structural/electronic picture that is compatible with the existence of the electronically-equivalent 1-3 along with the electronically-nonequivalent 4 (with two fewer CVEs) and other closely related species.