SYNTHESIS AND CHEMICAL BEHAVIOR OF THE [CO3NI7(CO)16C2]2- AND [CO3NI7(CO)15C2]3- DICARBIDE CLUSTERS - X-RAY CRYSTAL-STRUCTURE OF [PPH4]2[CO3NI7(CO)16C2]

The synthesis and properties of the new dicarbidocarbonyl bimetallic clusters [Co3Ni7(CO)16C2]2- and [Co3Ni7(co)15C2]3- are described. Anion I is paramagnetic, and has a metal frame based on a 3,4,3-C2h stack of metal atoms. The resulting deca-vertces metal polyhedron encapsulates a c2 fragment showing a short C-C interatomic separation of 1.48 Å