Synthesis of Group 1B sandwich cluster compounds with [Pt3(µ-CO)3(PPh3)3] and the structural characterisation of [M{Pt3(µ-CO)3(PPh3)3}2]PF6(M = Au or Cu) by single-crystal X-ray techniques

Sandwich cluster compounds of the type [M{Pt3(µ-CO)3(PPh3)3}2]PF6[M = Cu (1a) or Au (1b)], where the Group 1 B metal is co-ordinated simulataneously to two planar [Pt3(µ-CO)3(PPh3)3]triangulo rings, have been synthesised from [Pt3(µ-CO)3(PPh3)4] and either [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6 or [Au(L)Cl](L = CO or Me2S) in the presence of an excess of TIPF6. Complexes (1a) and (1b) are both dark red crystalline solids and are isomorphous. They have been characterised using 31P-{1H} n.m.r. and single-crystal X-ray techniques.