HIGH-YIELD FORMATION OF [(MO(III)4S4)(H2O)12](4+) BY REACTION OF [(MO(IV)3S4)(H2O)(9)](4+) WITH METALLIC LEAD

Anaerobic reaction in 2 M hydrochloric acid of the incomplete cubane-l ike molybdenum(IV) cluster aqua ion, [Mo3S4(H2O)(9)](4+), with metalli c lead gave a 80% yield of the complete cubane-like molybdenum(III) cl uster aqua ion, [Mo4S4(H2O)(12)](4+). As a preparative route to [Mo4S4 (H2O)(12)](4+) this reaction is more convenient than those previously reported. The conversion of the Mo-3(IV) cluster to the Mo-4(III) clus ter involves a breakdown of [Mo3S4](4+) units under the reductive infl uence of metallic lead.