Methyl Propiolate Cluster Complex (Ph4P)2[W6I8(C≡C–C(O)OCH3)6]

A new organometallic iodide cluster complex (Bu4N)2[W6I8(C≡C–C(O)OCH3)6] (I), analogous to the previously described (Bu4N)2[Mo6I8(C≡C–C(O)OCH3)6], was obtained by the reaction of (Bu4N)2[W6I14] with silver methyl propiolate AgC≡C–C(O)OCH3. The crystal structure was established for the tetraphenylphosphonium salt (Ph4P)2[W6I8(C≡C–C(O)OCH3)6] (II). According to X-ray diffraction (CIF file CCDC no. 1829205), tungsten atoms in II are coordinated by terminal carbon atoms of methyl propiolate ligands at W–C distances of 2.220(12)–2.268(14) A. The methyl propiolate complexes were characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and IR spectroscopy.