Unprecedented Influence of the Acid Medium in the Synthesis of Mo₃M‘S₄ Cubane-like Clusters:  Preparation of [Mo₃PbS₄(H₂O)_9+<i>x</i>]⁴⁺

Abstract

The new bimetallic cubane-like cluster [Mo3PbS4(H2O)9+x]4+ was prepared in aqueous 2 mol·dm-3 CF3SO3H in quantitative yield by reaction of [MoIV3S4(H2O)9]4+ with lead powder. Contrary to the case of other clusters of the Mo3M‘S4 type, decomposition in the absence of air was observed when anions (most notably chloride ions) with a high affinity for the heterometal were added.