Trifluoromethylmetallate anions as components of molecular charge transfersalts and superconductors

Whereas polymeric and common inorganic anions frequently deprive the synthe tic chemist of a chance to modify a charge transfer salt"s structure throug h anion alterations, discrete organometallic anions provide a vast opportun ity to probe the structure/property correlations of a material through rati onal synthetic methods. We have recently undertaken a research effort aimed at the crystallization of conducting charge transfer salts which possess m odifiable, organometallic anions as the charge compensating entities. This research has been richly rewarded with the discovery of a new family of bis (ethylenedithio)-tetrathiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF or ET) based molecular superc onductors. Herein is presented a summary of over 20 kappa(ET)(2)M(CF3)(4)(1 ,1,2-trihaloethane) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) superconducting salts. Three new relat ed salts are also reported: (ET)(2)[trans-Ag(CF3)(2)(CN)(2)], kappa(L)(BEDT -TSF)(2)Ag(CF3)(4)(TCE), and kappa(L)(ET)(2)Ag(CF3)(3)Cl(TCE). (C) 1999 Els evier Science S.A. AU rights reserved.