Synthesis and structure of a new organolanthanide oxide complex, (CH3C5H4)3Yb4(μ-Cl)6(μ3-Cl)(μ4-O)(THF)3

Reaction of NaCp′ (Cp′ = C5H4CH3) with YbCl3 and YbOCl in THF results in the formation of a new complex, Cp′3Yb4(μ-Cl)6(μ3-Cl)(μ4-O)(THF)3 (1). The X-ray crystal structure of 1 reveals an oxygen-centered tetrahedral arrangement of ytterbium atoms which has μ-Cl groups bridging each edge and a μ3-Cl ligand over the trianglar face composed of Yb atoms with Cp′ groups.