Synthesis and crystal structure of an Ag20 cluster incorporating in situ generated bipodal [ArP(OEt)S2]− and tripodal [ArPOS2]2− ligands (Ar = 4-methoxyphenyl)

The ultrasonic reaction of Lawessonʹs reagent (2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dithiadiphosphetane-2,4-disulfide, LR) with Ag(OAc) and Ph3P (triphenylphosphane) gave an Ag20 cluster {[Ag20(ArP(OEt)S2)6(ArPOS2)6(Ph3P)8]·2(OAc)·8(H2O)·(CHCl3)} (1) (Ar = 4-methoxyphenyl). The core of this cluster is an Ag-based propeller comprised of one triangle central axis and three distorted rectangle leaves. The bipodal and tripodal P/S-containing ligands were generated from in situ P–S bond cleavage and P–O bond formation process.