Synthesis, molecular and electronic structures of a paramagnetic trimetallic cluster containing an unusual Mo3(μ3-Se)2(μ-Se)3 core

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The electron precise [Mo3(μ3-Se)(μ-Se)3(dppe)3Br3]+ incomplete cuboidal complex, with six cluster skeletal electrons (CSE), was converted into the paramagnetic bicapped [Mo3(μ3-Se)2(μ-Se)3(dppe)3]+ cluster (1+), with an unusual seven metal electron population, by treatment with elemental Ga. The cluster core consists of an almost equilateral Mo3 triangle (Mo–Mo distances are in the range 2.7583(7)–2.7748(7)Å with an average value of 2.77(3)Å), capped by two selenide ligands. The remaining selenium atoms bridge adjacent metal atoms, defining a virtually planar Mo3(μ-Se)3 unit, with the capping Se atoms positioned above and below this plane. The new complex possesses a doublet ground state with the unpaired electron density delocalized over the three metal atoms. DFT calculations show that the HOMO has “a1” symmetry, precluding any Jahn–Teller distortion on the cluster core and giving support to EPR and structural observations.