SOLVOLYSIS REACTIONS IN LIQUID ANTIMONY(V) FLUORIDE - A CONVENIENT AND VERSATILE SYNTHETIC METHOD

Solvolysis reactions of various fluorosulfates in liquid antimony (V) fluoride allow the synthesis of a wide range of fluoroantimonate (V) s alts with main group, organometallic and transition metal cations. In the presence of carbon monoxide, CO, at pressures of 0.5 to 2.0 atmosp heres a new group of homoleptic carbonyl cations of electronrich metal s (Hg, Au, Pt, Pd, Ir, Ru, and Os) form with [Sb2F11](-) as anion. The salts show relatively high thermal stability (> 100 degrees C). The g eometries of the cations [Au(CO)(2)](+), [Hg(CO)(2)](2+) (linear) and [M(CO)(4)](2+), M = Pd or Pt (square planar), are unprecedented among metal carbonyl compounds. Structural and spectroscopic studies (IR, Ra man, C-13 NMR) suggest predominantly sigma-bonding between the metal a nd CO. Future applications of the synthetic method reviewed here are d iscussed.