Reactivity of triangular oxalate cluster complexes [M3Q7(C2O4)3]2− (M = Mo or W; Q = S or Se)

The reactions of the oxalate complexes [M3Q7(C2O4)3]2− (M = Mo or W; Q = S or Se) with MnII, CoII, NiII, and CuII aqua and ethylenediamine complexes in aqueous and aqueous ethanolic solutions were studied. The previously unknown heterometallic complexes [Mo3Se7(C2O4)3Ni(H2O)5]·3.5H2O (1) and K3{[Cu(en)2H2O]([Mo3S7(ox)3]2Br)}·5.5H2O (2) were synthesized. In these complexes, the oxalate clusters serve as monodentate ligands. The K(H2en)2[W3S7(C2O4)3]2Br·4H2O salt (3) was isolated from solutions containing CoII, NiII, or CuII aqua complexes and ethylenediamine. The reaction of [Mo3Se7(C2O4)3]2− with HBr produced the bromide complex [Mo3Se7Br6]2−, which was isolated as (Bu4N)2[Mo3Se7Br6] (4). Complexes 1–3 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, and elemental analysis. The formation of 4 was detected by electrospray mass spectrometry.