THE ZR6CL12(PME2PH)6 MOLECULE REVISITED - A DIRECTED SYNTHESIS

A new method for preparing the compound formally assigned the composit ion Zr6Cl12(PMe2Ph)6 is described. The compound can now be obtained re producibly in about 16% yield. A new crystalline form was obtained and fully characterized by X-ray crystallography, giving molecular dimens ions in essential a agreement with those previously reported. Crystal data: space group, P1BAR with a = 19.032(4), b = 13.328(2), c = 14.401 (2) angstrom, alpha = 92.69(1), beta = 92.18(2), gamma = 108.01(3)-deg rees, V = 3464(2) angstrom3, Z = 2. The possibility that hydrogen atom s may be attached to each of two faces of the Zr6 octahedron is sugges ted and discussed.