Book Description

This Report describes the synthesis and structural characterisation of several gold-ruthenium cluster compounds, as well as the discovery of the first trimetallic complexes containing the hexanuclear core structures MM'Ru4 (M = Ag, M' = Cu; M = Au, M' =Cu; M = Au, M' = Ag). Using variable temperature 31P-1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy we have observed polytopal rearrangements of these clusters in solution. Also described are new heteronuclear cluster compounds containing bonds between iridium and osmium or platinum. In a further study the first mixed-metal clusters involving osmium and platinum with interstitial carbido ligands are reported. Rational synthetic routes have been developed for preparing cluster compounds containing chains and rings of metal atoms in which the metal-metal bonds are bridged by alkylidyne groups. This work has led to the characterisation, via X-ray diffraction and n.m.r. studies, of novel compounds with core structures having eight metal atoms (Pt4W4 or Ni2Pt2W4) in a ring in the shape of a 'star'.