SYNTHESIS, CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION, AND MOLECULAR-STRUCTURES OF AG8FE4(CO)(16)(DPPM)(2) AND AG4AU4FE4(CO)(16)(DPPE)(2)

The new Ag-8{Fe(CO)(4)}(4)(dppm)(2) and Ag4Au4{Fe(CO)(4)}(4)((PP)-P-bo olean AND)(2) ((PP)-P-boolean AND = dppm, dppe) neutral cluster compou nds have been isolated in good yields by condensation in CH3CN or THF of M-2((PP)-P-boolean AND)(2+) (M = Ag, Au) cations with [Ag-4{Fe(CO)( 4)}(4)](4-) anions and characterized by IR, NMR, and microanalyses. Th e structure of both Ag-8{Fe(CO)(4)}(4)(dppm)(2) and Ag4Au4{Fe(CO)(4)}( 4)(dppe)(2) has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The form er represents a very rare example of a neutral Ag-Fe cluster containin g phosphine as ancillary ligand for silver.