‘One-pot’ synthesis of two molybdenum/tungsten (VI)–copper(I) mixed metal clusters under catalysis of 1,10-phenathroline

Under the catalysis of 1,10-phenathroline (phen), (NH4)2 MʹS4 (M’ = Mo,W) reacts with CuSCN and dppm in mixed solvent MeCN/DMF (1:1) to yield two saddle-shaped clusters [WS4Cu4(SCN)2 (dppm)3]·3DMF·2CH3CN (1) and [MoS4Cu4(SCN)2 (dppm)3]·4DMF (2) (dppm = bis (diphenylphosphino) methane). Compounds 1–2 were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV–Vis, 1H NMR, 31P NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each [MʹS4]2− (M’ = Mo, W) anion coordinates to four Cu atoms through four bridging S atoms, and all S atoms are coordinated with two Cu atoms. In each cluster the four Cu atoms are almost in one plane, and the M’ atom is above the plane. Cluster 1 was characterized by luminescent with the λem = 545 nm. The possible catalysis mechanism of phenathroline is discussed.