Molecular lead clusters - From unexpected discovery to rational synthesis

Abstract

Feats of lead: The cluster compounds [Pb12Hyp6] (1; see structure) and [Pb10Hyp6] (2) result from the reaction of the plumbylene [Pb{Si(SiMe3)3}2] ([PbHyp2]) with hydride sources, such as PH3 or [{(Ph 3P)CuH}6]. They are the first examples of neutral lead clusters bearing σ-bonded substituents. Whereas 2 is isolated from the reaction mixture on a multigram scale, 1 is only obtained in traces.