Synthesis and solubility in water of Cs3Re6S7Cl7, the missing octahedral thiochloride rhenium(III) cluster salt

In the isostructural and isoelectronic series of molecular anions [Re-6(Y4nX4-n)X-6](n-) (X = halogen, Y = chalcogen, n = 0-4), (Cs+)(3)[Re6S7Cl73-], the first n = 3 mineral salt has been obtained in quantitative amounts by high temperature solid state synthesis. It is found to be soluble in water where a metathesis of the alkaline cation affords (n-Bu4N)(3)Re6S7Cl7 in hi gh yields. With this last compound, and for the first time in a Re-X-Y syst em, the completed series (n = 0-4) of molecular precursors is now available for solution chemistry. (C) Academie des sciences/Elsevier, Paris.