Synthesis of Inorganic Fullerene-like Molecules

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 300; no. 5620; pp. 781 - 783
• Main Authors: Bai, Junfeng, Virovets, Alexander V., Scheer, Manfred
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Association for the Advancement of Science 02.05.2003; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Atoms; Chemical mixtures; Coordination chemistry; Coordination numbers; Crystals; Discovery and exploration; Fullerenes; Inorganic compounds; Lead; Ligands; Molecular structure; Molecules; Nanotechnology; Organic Chemistry; Germany
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.1081119

The reaction of$[Cp^* Fe(\eta^{5}-P_5)]$with Cu(I)Cl in solvent mixtures of$CH_{2}Cl_{2}/CH_{3}CN$leads to the formation of entirely inorganic fullerene-like molecules of the formula$[\{ Cp^* Fe(\eta^5:\eta^1:\eta^1:\eta^1:\eta^1:\eta^1-P_5)\}_{12}\{ CuCl\}_{10}\{ Cu_{2}Cl_{3}\}_5\{ Cu(CH_{3}CN)_2\}_5]$(1) possessing 90 inorganic core atoms. This compound represents a structural motif similar to that of$C_{60}: cyclo-P_5$rings of$[Cp^* Fe(\eta^{5}-P_5)]$molecules are surrounded by six-membered$P_{4}Cu_{2}$rings that result from the coordination of each of the phosphorus lone pairs to CuCl metal centers, which are further coordinated by P atoms of other$cyclo-P_5$rings. Thus, five- and six-membered rings alternate in a manner comparable to that observed in the fullerene molecules. The so-formed half shells are joined by$[Cu_{2}Cl_{3}]^-$as well as by$[Cu(CH_{3}CN)_2]^+$units. The spherical body has an inside diameter of 1.25 nanometers and an outside diameter of 2.13 nanometers, which is about three times as large as that of C60.