Alkali metal-templated assembly of the tetrahedral cyanometallate cages [M⊂Mo4(μ-CN)6(CO)12]5- (M = Li, Na)

Acetonitrile solutions of (mesitylene)Mo(CO)(3), 1.5 equiv. Et4NCN, and 0.25 equiv M+ afford the inorganic tetrahedranes (Et4N)(5)[M subset of Mo-4(mu -CN)(6)(CO)(12)] (M = Na, Li), the strained nature of which is indicated by their ready reaction with CsO3SCF3 to give trigonal prismatic (Et4N)(8)[Cs subset of Mo-6(mu -CN)(9)(CO)(18)].