Synthesis and alkali metal ion-binding properties of a chromium(III) triacetylide complex.

A simple triacetylide complex of chromium(III) is synthesized for use as a potential precursor to metal-dicarbide clusters. Reaction of Me(3)SiCCLi with [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CF(3)SO(3))(3)] (Me(3)tacn = N,N',N"-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) in THF generates [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CCSiMe(3))(3)], which subsequently reacts with Bu(4)NF to supply [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CCH)(3)] as an air-stable orange solid. The crystal structure of this unprecedented triacetylide complex reveals octahedral coordination of the chromium center, with linear Cr-C(triple bond)C bond angles and C(triple bond)C bond distances essentially identical to the corresponding distance in acetylene. Crystallization of the complex from a DMF solution containing K(CF(3)SO(3)) leads to the sandwich complex ([(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CCH)(3)](2)K)(+), in which the K(+) ion is coordinated in a side-on fashion by each of the six C(triple bond)C units. With the larger Cs(+) cation, a triangular ([(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CCH)(3)](3)Cs)(+) complex is instead observed. The magnetic properties of these alkali metal complexes are indicative of weak antiferromagnetic exchange between Cr(III) centers, with J = -0.8 and -0.3 cm(-1), respectively.