Publication:

An alkoxide cluster with 18 Li+ ions encapsulating two borate anions, [tBuO)12Li18(BO3)2\] (2003)

Author(s): Errington RJ; Clegg W; Tombul M; Coxall RA

    Abstract: The title compound, bis(borato)dodeca(tert-butoxo)octadecalithium, [Li18(BO3)2(C4H9O)12], is formulated conveniently as [{(tBuOLi)3(Li3BO3)}2(tBuOLi)6]. A central 12-membered ring and two outer six-membered rings are formed by alternating Li+ cations and alkoxide O atoms. Sandwiched between the central ring and each of the outer rings is a planar array of three further Li+ cations surrounding a [BO3]3- anion. Thus, the molecule consists of a cationic [Li18(OtBu)12]6+ cage encapsulating two borate anions. This compound is the first example of a structurally characterized polynuclear lithium borate, and a rare case of a lithium alkoxide cage with nuclearity greater than eight. All the alkoxide ligands are triply bridging, and the lithium ions have trigonal-planar, trigonal-pyramidal and fourfold coordination, all with major distortions from regular coordination geometry.

      • Date: 01-06-2003
      • Journal: Acta Crystallographica. Section C: Crystal Structure Communications
      • Volume: 59
      • Issue: 6
      • Pages: M231-M233
      • Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing, Inc.
      • Publication type: Article
      • Bibliographic status: Published
      Staff

      Dr John Errington
      Reader Metalorganic Chemistry