Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of a Tetranuclear Cerium(IV) Oxo Cluster Supported by the Kläui Tripodal Ligand [Co(η(5) -C5 H5 ){P(O)(OEt)2 }3 ](.).

A tetranuclear Ce(IV) oxo cluster compound containing the Kläui tripodal ligand [Co(η(5) -C5 H5 ){P(O)(OEt)2 }3 ](-) (LOEt (-) ) has been synthesized and its reactions with H2 O2 , CO2 , NO, and Brønsted acids have been studied. The treatment of [Ce(LOEt )(NO3 )3 ] with Et4 NOH in acetonitrile afforded the tetranuclear Ce(IV) oxo cluster [Ce4 (LOEt )4 O7 H2 ] (1) containing an adamantane-like {Ce4 (μ2 -O)6 } core with a μ4 -oxo ligand at the center. The reaction of 1 with H2 O2 resulted in the formation of the peroxo cluster [Ce4 (LOEt )4 (μ4 -O)(μ2 -O2 )4 (μ2 -OH)2 ] (2). The treatment of 1 with CO2 and NO led to isolation of [Ce(LOEt )2 (CO3 )] and [Ce(LOEt )(NO3 )3 ], respectively. The protonation of 1 with HCl, ROH (R=2,4,6-trichlorophenyl), and Ph3 SiOH yielded [Ce(LOEt )Cl3 ] (3), [Ce(LOEt )(OR)3 ] (4), and [Ce(LOEt )(OSiPh3 )3 ] (5), respectively. The chloride ligands in 3 are labile and can be abstracted by silver(I) salts. The treatment of 3 with AgOTs (OTs(-) =tosylate) and Ag2 O afforded [Ce(LOEt )(OTs)3 ] (6) and 1, respectively. The electrochemistry of the Ce-LOEt complexes has been studied by using cyclic voltammetry. The crystal structures of complexes 1-5 have been determined.