Crystal structure of a Pd4 carbonyl tri-phenyl-phosphane cluster [Pd4(CO)5(PPh3)4]·2C4H8O, comparing solvates.

Abstract

Attempts to synthesize Au-Pd heterometallic compounds from homonuclear palladium or gold complexes, [Pd(PtBu2)2] and [Au(PPh3)Cl] in a tetra-hydro-furan (THF) solution under a CO atmosphere resulted in a homonuclear Pd cluster, namely penta-kis-(μ-carbonyl-κ(2) C:C)tetra-kis-(tri-phenyl-phosphane-κP)tetrapalladium(5 Pd-Pd) tetra-hydro-furan disolvate, [Pd4(CO)5(C18H15P)4]·2C4H8O. The complex mol-ecule lies on a twofold rotation axis. The crystal structure is described in relation to the CH2Cl2 solvate previously determined by our group [Willocq et al. (2011 ▸). Inorg. Chim. Acta, 373, 233-242], and in particular to the desolvated structure [Feltham et al. (1985 ▸). Inorg. Chem. 24, 1503-1510]. It is assumed that the title compound transforms into the latter structure, upon gradual loss of solvent mol-ecules. In the title compound, the symmetry-unique THF solvent mol-ecule is linked to the complex mol-ecule by a weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bond. Contributions of disordered solvent molecules to the diffraction intensities, most likely associated with methanol, were removed with the SQUEEZE [Spek (2015). Acta Cryst. C71, 9-18] algorithm.