Synthesis and crystal structure of a novel octa-aqua bridged star-shaped Ni4K complex

A penta-nuclear, star-shaped hetero-metallic compound containing a unique Ni4KO8 core has been synthesized. The X-ray single crystal structure analysis reveals that in the complex, [K(Ni(LH)2)4(OH2)8](Br)(ClO4)8·11H2O (LHdouble bond; length as m-dash(CH3)2HN+(CH2)3Ndouble bond; length as m-dashCHC6H4O−) the eight coordinate central K+ ion is encapsulated by four terminal [Ni(LH)2]2 + units through the double water bridges between K+ and each Ni(II) ions.