The first nona-osmium cluster species; synthesis and X-ray structure analysis of [Os9(CO)21{CHC(R)CH}]–(R = Me or Et)

Abstract

When Os₃(CO)₁₂ is heated under reflux in isobutyl alcohol or 2-methylbutan-1-ol the novel cluster monoanions [Os₉(CO)₂₁{CHC(R)CH}]^–(R = Me or Et respectively) are produced in low yield; X-ray analyses of the [N(Ph₃P)₂]⁺ salts of both monoanions show that they both have the same unusual Os₉ core with 2 cluster valence-electrons less than the number predicted by the effective atomic number (E.A.N.) rule.