A trinuclear cobalt(III) phosphate complex with a novel molecular structure: Synthesis and crystal structure of {[Co(en)2]3(PO4)(HPO4)}2(H2PO4)Cl7 · 6H2O

A novel trinuclear cobalt(III) phosphate complex, {[Co(en)2]3(PO4)(HPO4)}2(H2PO4)Cl7 · 6H2O, has been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray structure determination and NMR spectroscopy. The compound includes an unprecedented type of discrete cluster with three metal atoms bridged by two phosphate anions. The clusters are associated in chains by strong hydrogen bonds PO4⋯H⋯PO4. The crystal lattice is stabilized by extensive hydrogen bonding.