Crystal and molecular structure of tri-µ-chloro-hexakis(trimethylsilylmethyl)-triangulo-trirhenium(III)

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structure of the title complex has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Crystals are monoclinic with a= 12.021 (3), b= 20.489(5), c= 18.194(5)Å, β= 91.03(3)°, space group P2_1/n, and Z= 4. The structure has been solved by direct methods and refined by least squares to R 0.062 for 4 170 observed diffractometer data. The molecular structure is based on an equilateral Re, triangle with three in-plane bridging chlorine atoms. To each metal atom are also bonded two out-of-plane terminal trimethylsilylmethyl groups, the bulk of which presumably precludes the additional binding of any in-plane terminal ligands. The Re–Re distances [2.384–2.389(1)Å] are the shortest so far observed in Re₃, cluster compounds. The Re–C and Re–Cl distances are respectively 2.07–2.13(2) and 2.412–2.440(5)Å, whilst the C–Re–C and Re–Cl–Re angles are 122–130(1) and 59.0(l)°.