Synthesis and structure of nickel-containing cuboidal clusters derived from [W3Se4(H2O)9]4+. Site-differentiated substitution at the nickel site in the series [W3NiQ4(H2O)10]4+ (Q = S, Se).

New Ni-containing heterometallic cuboidal cluster aqua complex [W3(NiCl)Se4(H2O)9]3+, the missing link in the family of the M3NiQ4 clusters (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se), has been prepared by the reaction of [W3Se4(H2O)9]4+ with Ni in 2 M HCl. Single crystals of edge-linked double-cuboidal cluster [{W3NiSe4(H2O)9}2](pts)8.18H2O (pts = p-toluenesulfonate) were grown from the solution of the aqua complex in 3 M Hpts, and their structures were determined. The Ni site in the clusters [W3(NiCl)Q4(H2O)9]3+ selectively coordinates typical pi-acceptor ligands such as CO, olefins, acetylenes, phosphines, arsines, or SnCl3-. This allows stabilization by coordination of such elusive species as HP(OH)2 and As(OH)3. The stability constants for coordination of HP(OH)2, As(OH)3, and SnCl3- were determined. The Se for S substitution increases the stability by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Supramolecular adducts with cucurbit[6]uril (Cuc), [W3(Ni(HP(OH)2))Q4(H2O)9]Cl4.Cuc.11H2O and [W3(NiAs(OH)3)S4(H2O)8Cl]Cl3.Cuc.13H2O, were isolated and structurally characterized.