A distorted tetrahedral metal oxide cluster inside an icosahedral carbon cage. Synthesis, isolation, and structural characterization of Sc4(mu3-O)2@Ih-C80.

Abstract

The remarkably large cluster Sc4(mu3-O)2 has been obtained trapped inside an Ih-C80 cage by conducting the vaporization of graphite rods doped with copper(II) nitrate and scandium(III) oxide in an electric arc under a low pressure helium atmosphere with an added flow of air. The product has been isolated by chromatography and identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The structure of Sc4(mu3-O)2@Ih-C80 has been determined by X-ray crystallography on a crystal of Sc4(mu3-O)[email protected](OEP).2(C6H6). The Sc4(mu3-O)2 unit consists of a distorted tetrahedron of scandium atoms with oxygen atoms bridging two of its faces. The Sc-Sc distances range from 2.946(7) to 3.379(7) A.

• Authors: Steven Stevenson, Mary A Mackey, Melissa A Stuart, J Paige Phillips, Michael L Easterling, Christopher J Chancellor, Marilyn M Olmstead, Alan L Balch
• Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society (J Am Chem Soc) Vol. 130 Issue 36 Pg. 11844-5 (Sep 10 2008) ISSN: 1520-5126 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18702488 (Publication Type: Journal Article)