Methacrylate-substituted mixed-metal clusters derived from zigzag chains of [ZrO8]/[ZrO7] and [TiO6] polyhedra

Reaction of titanium butoxide and zirconium butoxide with methacrylic acid in different molar ratios results in the formation of the mixed-metal clust ers Ti4Zr4O6(OBu)(4)(OMc)(16), Ti2Zr4O4(OBu)(2)(OMc)(14), Ti4Zr2O4(OBu)(6)( OMc)(10), and Ti2Zr6O6(OMc)(20) (OMc = methacrylate). The molecular structu res of these clusters have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffract ion analysis. They are based on a common structural motif, namely a zigzag chain comprising two terminal [TiO6] octahedra and two or four central [ZrO 8] dodeahedra or [ZrO7] pentagonal bipyramids sharing common edges. Two add itional [TiO6] octahedra or [ZrO8] dodecahedra are condensed at the flank o f the main chain.