Extension and Fusion of Cyclic Polyantimony Units.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of polyantimony anionic clusters are reported. The products [(NbCp) 2 Sb 10 ] 2- , [MSb 13 ] 3- (M = Ru/Fe), and [MSb 15 ] 3- (M = Ru/Fe) were isolated as either K(18-crown-6) or K([2.2.2]-crypt) salts. The Sb 10 ring contained in the [(NbCp) 2 Sb 10 ] 2- cluster can be viewed as an extension of two envelope-like cyclo -Sb 5 units and represents by far the largest monocyclic all-antimony species. The clusters [MSb 13 ] 3- and [MSb 15 ] 3- (M = Ru/Fe) illustrate the variability of crown-like Sb 8 ring motifs and reveal the fusion of different antimony fragments featuring unique Sb-Sb chain-like units. The reported synthetic approaches involve the fabrication of a variety of distinctive polyantimony anionic clusters, enhancing our understanding of the coordination chemistry of heavier group 15 elements.