Synthesis, IR and X-ray studies of tetra(N′,N"-tetraethyl-N"-benzoyl-phosphorictriamide)-tetra(μ-3-methoxo)-tetra(methanol)tetra-nickel(II)

A new nickel(II) complex with N,N'-tetraethyl-N"-benzoylphosphortriamide (HL = C6H5C(O)N(H)P(O)(NEt2)(2)) of composition Ni4L4(OCH3)(4).(HOCH3)(4) (1) has been synthesized. The crystal and molecular structure of 1 has been determined from the X-Ray diffraction data (tetragonal, space group <P(4)over bar>2(1)c with a = 17.000(2) Angstrom, c = 15.338(3) Angstrom, Z = 2; R = 0.0399 for 1412 unique reflections). The structure is made up of cubane-like tetramers. In the corners of a cube there are 4 atoms of nickel and 4 atoms of oxygen of methoxy groups. The nickel atoms are characterized by a slightly distorted octahedral environment, which consists of three oxygen atoms of methoxy groups, carbonylic and phosphorylic oxygen atoms of the ligand L-, and an oxygen atom of a methanol molecule. The ligands L- coordinate to the metal ion forming a chelate via the oxygen atoms of carbonylic and phosphorylic groups.