Syntheses of the Mo-Ag-Se complexes with a cubane-like core {MoAg(3)Se(3)X} (X=Cl and Br). Crystal structures of {MoAg3-Se3Cl}(PPh(3))(3)Se and {MoAg3Se3Br}(PPh(3))(3)Se center dot 0.5Ph(3)PSe center dot 3MeCN

Novel Mo-AE-Se complexes with a cubane-like core, namely {MoAg(3)Se(3)X}, {MoAg3Se3Cl} (PPh(3))(3)Se (1) and {MoAg3Se3Br} (PPh(3))(3)Se (2), have been synthesized from [Et(4)N](2)MoSe4 and [Ag(PPh(3))(3)X] (X = Cl or Br) in CH2Cl2; (1) . 0.5Ph(3)PSe . 3MeCN (3) and (2) . 0.5Ph(3)PSe . 3MeCN (4) have been isolated by reaction of Na2Se2 and (1) or (2) in MeCN-CH2Cl2, respectively. The structures of (1) and (4) have been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction analyses. Both contain a highly distorted cubane-like {MoAg(3)Se(3)X} cluster core with one Se2- terminal ligand bound to Mo, and PPh(3) ligands bound to each Ag. The average Ag-Cl and Ag-Br distances are 2.842(2) and 2.936(4) Angstrom for (1) and (4), respectively. The i.r. and P-31-n.m.r. spectra have also been studied.